Automated mechanisms to resolve explore-exploit dilemma with adaptive revival opportunities

ABSTRACT

A system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform: displaying content elements on one or more websites to users; tracking respective impression response data for each impression of a respective content element of the content elements comprising (a) a respective response of a respective user of the users and (b) a respective time of the respective response of the respective user; determining respective weightings of the content elements based on posterior distributions using the respective impression response data, as adjusted by a temporal decay factor, based on the respective times of the respective impression response data for the content elements; and generating a webpage of the one or more web sites to comprise a selected content element based on the respective weighting of the selected content element. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/263,856, filed Jan. 31, 2019 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/884,173, filed Jan. 30, 2018. U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/263,856 and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/884,173 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to automated decision engines, andrelates more particularly to automatic resolution of the explore-exploitdecision.

BACKGROUND

Many websites display content that is regularly changing. Moreover,there is a choice between exploiting content that is known to beeffective and exploring new content to learn its effectiveness. Theexplore-exploit choice is compounded when considering seasonality,personalization to users and/or the context of the users in omnichannelsettings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a computer system that issuitable for implementing an embodiment of the system disclosed in FIG.3;

FIG. 2 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of theelements included in the circuit boards inside a chassis of the computersystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can be employed forautomatic resolution of the explore-exploit decision in omnichannelsettings, with revival, and/or with personalization using dynamicallyshared learnings, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for a block of generating a webpage witha selected content element, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to anotherembodiment; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for a method, according to anotherembodiment.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elementsmay be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically orotherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time,e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electricalcoupling” and the like should be broadly understood and includeelectrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,”“removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does notmean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they arecomprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or moreelements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece ofmaterial.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean withinplus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the statedvalue. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus orminus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the statedvalue.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of acomputer system 100, all of which or a portion of which can be suitablefor (i) implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of thetechniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii) implementing and/oroperating part or all of one or more embodiments of the non-transitorycomputer readable media described herein. As an example, a different orseparate one of computer system 100 (and its internal components, or oneor more elements of computer system 100) can be suitable forimplementing part or all of the techniques described herein. Computersystem 100 can comprise chassis 102 containing one or more circuitboards (not shown), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 112, a CompactDisc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive116, and a hard drive 114. A representative block diagram of theelements included on the circuit boards inside chassis 102 is shown inFIG. 2. A central processing unit (CPU) 210 in FIG. 2 is coupled to asystem bus 214 in FIG. 2. In various embodiments, the architecture ofCPU 210 can be compliant with any of a variety of commerciallydistributed architecture families.

Continuing with FIG. 2, system bus 214 also is coupled to memory storageunit 208 that includes both read only memory (ROM) and random accessmemory (RAM). Non-volatile portions of memory storage unit 208 or theROM can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoringcomputer system 100 (FIG. 1) to a functional state after a system reset.In addition, memory storage unit 208 can include microcode such as aBasic Input-Output System (BIOS). In some examples, the one or morememory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein caninclude memory storage unit 208, a USB-equipped electronic device (e.g.,an external memory storage unit (not shown) coupled to universal serialbus (USB) port 112 (FIGS. 1-2)), hard drive 114 (FIGS. 1-2), and/orCD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray, or other suitable media, such as media configuredto be used in CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 116 (FIGS. 1-2). Non-volatile ornon-transitory memory storage unit(s) refer to the portions of thememory storage units(s) that are non-volatile memory and not atransitory signal. In the same or different examples, the one or morememory storage units of the various embodiments disclosed herein caninclude an operating system, which can be a software program thatmanages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or acomputer network. The operating system can perform basic tasks such as,for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing theprocessing of instructions, controlling input and output devices,facilitating networking, and managing files. Exemplary operating systemscan includes one or more of the following: (i) Microsoft® Windows®operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., UnitedStates of America, (ii) Mac® OS X by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.,United States of America, (iii) UNIX® OS, and (iv) Linux® OS. Furtherexemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i) theiOS® operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United Statesof America, (ii) the Blackberry® operating system by Research In Motion(RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the WebOS operating system byLG Electronics of Seoul, South Korea, (iv) the Android™ operating systemdeveloped by Google, of Mountain View, Calif., United States of America,(v) the Windows Mobile™ operating system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond,Wash., United States of America, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating systemby Accenture PLC of Dublin, Ireland.

As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type ofcomputational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing(CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC)microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, agraphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type ofprocessor or processing circuit capable of performing the desiredfunctions. In some examples, the one or more processors of the variousembodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 210.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, various I/O devices such as a diskcontroller 204, a graphics adapter 224, a video controller 202, akeyboard adapter 226, a mouse adapter 206, a network adapter 220, andother I/O devices 222 can be coupled to system bus 214. Keyboard adapter226 and mouse adapter 206 are coupled to a keyboard 104 (FIGS. 1-2) anda mouse 110 (FIGS. 1-2), respectively, of computer system 100 (FIG. 1).While graphics adapter 224 and video controller 202 are indicated asdistinct units in FIG. 2, video controller 202 can be integrated intographics adapter 224, or vice versa in other embodiments. Videocontroller 202 is suitable for refreshing a monitor 106 (FIGS. 1-2) todisplay images on a screen 108 (FIG. 1) of computer system 100 (FIG. 1).Disk controller 204 can control hard drive 114 (FIGS. 1-2), USB port 112(FIGS. 1-2), and CD-ROM and/or DVD drive 116 (FIGS. 1-2). In otherembodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devicesseparately.

In some embodiments, network adapter 220 can comprise and/or beimplemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (notshown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computersystem 100 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the WNIC card can be awireless network card built into computer system 100 (FIG. 1). Awireless network adapter can be built into computer system 100 (FIG. 1)by having wireless communication capabilities integrated into themotherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or morededicated wireless communication chips (not shown), connected through aPCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus ofcomputer system 100 (FIG. 1) or USB port 112 (FIG. 1). In otherembodiments, network adapter 220 can comprise and/or be implemented as awired network interface controller card (not shown).

Although many other components of computer system 100 (FIG. 1) are notshown, such components and their interconnection are well known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, further details concerningthe construction and composition of computer system 100 (FIG. 100) andthe circuit boards inside chassis 102 (FIG. 1) are not discussed herein.

When computer system 100 in FIG. 1 is running, program instructionsstored on a USB drive in USB port 112, on a CD-ROM or DVD in CD-ROMand/or DVD drive 116, on hard drive 114, or in memory storage unit 208(FIG. 2) are executed by CPU 210 (FIG. 2). A portion of the programinstructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying outall or at least part of the techniques described herein. In variousembodiments, computer system 100 can be reprogrammed with one or moremodules, system, applications, and/or databases, such as those describedherein, to convert a general purpose computer to a special purposecomputer. For purposes of illustration, programs and other executableprogram components are shown herein as discrete systems, although it isunderstood that such programs and components may reside at various timesin different storage components of computing device 100, and can beexecuted by CPU 210. Alternatively, or in addition to, the systems andprocedures described herein can be implemented in hardware, or acombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, one ormore application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmedto carry out one or more of the systems and procedures described herein.For example, one or more of the programs and/or executable programcomponents described herein can be implemented in one or more ASICs.

Although computer system 100 is illustrated as a desktop computer inFIG. 1, there can be examples where computer system 100 may take adifferent form factor while still having functional elements similar tothose described for computer system 100. In some embodiments, computersystem 100 may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a clusteror collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers orservers. Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used whenthe demand on computer system 100 exceeds the reasonable capability of asingle server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system 100may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. In certainother embodiments, computer system 100 may comprise a mobile device,such as a smartphone. In certain additional embodiments, computer system100 may comprise an embedded system.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of asystem 300 that can be employed for automatic resolution of theexplore-exploit decision in omnichannel settings, with revival, and/orwith personalization using dynamically shared learnings, according to anembodiment. System 300 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the systemare not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The system can beemployed in many different embodiments or examples not specificallydepicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements,modules, or systems of system 300 can perform various procedures,processes, and/or activities. In other embodiments, the procedures,processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitableelements, modules, or systems of system 300. In some embodiments, system300 can include a selection system 305, a web server 320, and/or aphysical stores system 325.

Generally, therefore, system 300 can be implemented with hardware and/orsoftware, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or all of thehardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these or otherembodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can becustomized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of thefunctionality of system 300 described herein.

In a number of embodiments, selection system 305 can include anomnichannel content selection system 310, a revival selection system311, and/or a personalization selection system 312. Selection system305, web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325 can each be acomputer system, such as computer system 100 (FIG. 1), as describedabove, and can each be a single computer, a single server, or a clusteror collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers orservers. In another embodiment, a single computer system can hostselection system 305, web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325.In a number of embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310,revival selection system 311, and/or personalization selection system312 can each be a computer system, such as computer system 100 (FIG. 1),as described above, and can each be a single computer, a single server,or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud ofcomputers or servers. In another embodiment, a single computer systemcan host selection system 305, omnichannel content selection system 310,revival selection system 311, and/or personalization selection system312. Additional details regarding selection system 305 omnichannelcontent selection system 310, revival selection system 311,personalization selection system 312, web server 320, and/or physicalstores system 325 are described herein.

In some embodiments, selection system 305 can include omnichannelcontent selection system 310 without including revival selection system311 or personalization selection system 312. In other embodiments,selection system 305 can include revival selection system 311 withoutincluding omnichannel content selection system 310 or personalizationselection system 312. In another embodiment, system lection 305 caninclude personalization selection system 312 without includingomnichannel content selection system 310 or revival selection system311. In further embodiments, selection system 305 can includeomnichannel content selection system 310 and revival selection system311 without including personalization selection system 312. In stillother embodiments, selection system 305 can include omnichannel contentselection system 310 and personalization selection system 312 withoutincluding revival system 311. In yet other embodiments, selection system305 can include revival selection system 311 and personalizationselection system 312 without including omnichannel content selectionsystem 310. In some embodiments, selection system 305 can includeomnichannel content selection system 310, revival selection system 311,and personalization selection system 312.

In some embodiments, web server 320 can be in data communication throughInternet 330 with one or more user computers, such as user computers 340and/or 341. In some embodiments, user computers 340-341 can be used byusers, such as users 350 and 351, which also can be referred to ascustomers, in which case, user computers 340 and 341 can be referred toas customer computers. In many embodiments, web server 320 can host oneor more websites. For example, web server 320 can host a website thatallows users to browse and/or search for items (e.g., products), to additems to an electronic cart, and/or to purchase items, in addition toother suitable activities.

In a number of embodiments, physical stores system 325 can be in datacommunication with selection system 305 and/or omnichannel contentselection system 310, and selection system 305 can be in datacommunication with web server 320. In several embodiments, physicalstores system 325 can be in data communication with the point-of-salesystems in physical stores, such as physical store 360 and/or physicalstore 361. In many embodiments, physical stores 360-361 each can be aphysical store, such as a brick-and-mortar store, that is associated(e.g., operated by a common business entity or entities under commoncontrol) with the website hosted by web server 320. In many embodiments,many of the items sold at the physical stores (e.g., 360-361) can be thesame as the items sold on the website. In some embodiments, physicalstores system 325 can be a distributed system that includes one or moresystems in each of the physical stores (e.g., 360-361). In otherembodiments, physical stores system 325 can be a centralized system thatcommunicates with systems in the physical stores (e.g., 360-361). Inseveral embodiments, physical stores system 325 can track purchases madeby users (e.g., 350-351) in the physical stores (e.g., 360-361).

In a number of embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310and/or physical stores system 325 can link transactions made by a user(e.g., 350-351) at one or more physical stores (e.g., 360-361) to eachother and can link these transactions to transactions and/or otheractivity by the user on the website hosted by web server 320. Theselinkages can be done based on the payment information provided by theuser at the one or more physical stores and on the website, such as thecredit card information used.

In many embodiments, an internal network that is not open to the publiccan be used for communications between omnichannel content selectionsystem 310, revival selection system 311, and/or personalizationselection system 312 within selection system 305. In some embodiments,the same or another internal network can be used for communicationsbetween omnichannel content selection system 310 and/or physical storessystem 325. In several embodiments, the same or another internal networkcan be used for communications between selection system 305 (and elementthereof), web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325 withinsystem 300. Accordingly, in some embodiments, selection system 305 (andelements thereof) and/or physical stores system 325 (and/or the softwareused by such systems) can refer to a back end of system 300 operated byan operator and/or administrator of system 300, and web server 320(and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to a front end ofsystem 300, as is can be accessed and/or used by one or more users, suchas users 350-351, using user computers 340-341, respectively. In theseor other embodiments, the operator and/or administrator of system 300can manage system 300, the processor(s) of system 300, and/or the memorystorage unit(s) of system 300 using the input device(s) and/or displaydevice(s) of system 300.

In certain embodiments, user computers 340-341 can be desktop computers,laptop computers, a mobile device, and/or other endpoint devices used byone or more 11 users 350 and 351, respectively. A mobile device canrefer to a portable electronic device (e.g., an electronic device easilyconveyable by hand by a person of average size) with the capability topresent audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music,etc.). For example, a mobile device can include at least one of adigital media player, a cellular telephone (e.g., a smartphone), apersonal digital assistant, a handheld digital computer device (e.g., atablet personal computer device), a laptop computer device (e.g., anotebook computer device, a netbook computer device), a wearable usercomputer device, or another portable computer device with the capabilityto present audio and/or visual data (e.g., images, videos, music, etc.).Thus, in many examples, a mobile device can include a volume and/orweight sufficiently small as to permit the mobile device to be easilyconveyable by hand. For examples, in some embodiments, a mobile devicecan occupy a volume of less than or equal to approximately 1790 cubiccentimeters, 2434 cubic centimeters, 2876 cubic centimeters, 4056 cubiccentimeters, and/or 5752 cubic centimeters. Further, in theseembodiments, a mobile device can weigh less than or equal to 15.6Newtons, 17.8 Newtons, 22.3 Newtons, 31.2 Newtons, and/or 44.5 Newtons.

Exemplary mobile devices can include (i) an iPod®, iPhone®, iTouch®,iPad®, MacBook® or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.,United States of America, (ii) a Blackberry® or similar product byResearch in Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) a Lumia® orsimilar product by the Nokia Corporation of Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland,and/or (iv) a Galaxy™ or similar product by the Samsung Group of SamsungTown, Seoul, South Korea. Further, in the same or different embodiments,a mobile device can include an electronic device configured to implementone or more of (i) the iPhone® operating system by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry®operating system by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario,Canada, (iii) the Palm® operating system by Palm, Inc. of Sunnyvale,California, United States, (iv) the Android™ operating system developedby the Open Handset Alliance, (v) the Windows Mobile™ operating systemby Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, or (vi)the Symbian™ operating system by Nokia Corp. of Keilaniemi, Espoo,Finland.

Further still, the term “wearable user computer device” as used hereincan refer to an electronic device with the capability to present audioand/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music, etc.) that isconfigured to be worn by a user and/or mountable (e.g., fixed) on theuser of the wearable user computer device (e.g., sometimes under or overclothing; and/or sometimes integrated with and/or as clothing and/oranother accessory, such as, for example, a hat, eyeglasses, a wristwatch, shoes, etc.). In many examples, a wearable user computer devicecan include a mobile device, and vice versa. However, a wearable usercomputer device does not necessarily include a mobile device, and viceversa.

In specific examples, a wearable user computer device can include a headmountable wearable user computer device (e.g., one or more headmountable displays, one or more eyeglasses, one or more contact lenses,one or more retinal displays, etc.) or a limb mountable wearable usercomputer device (e.g., a smart watch). In these examples, a headmountable wearable user computer device can be mountable in closeproximity to one or both eyes of a user of the head mountable wearableuser computer device and/or vectored in alignment with a field of viewof the user.

In more specific examples, a head mountable wearable user computerdevice can include (i) Google Glass™ product or a similar product byGoogle Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif., United States of America; (ii) theEye Tap™ product, the Laser Eye Tap™ product, or a similar product byePI Lab of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and/or (iii) the Raptyr™ product,the STAR 1200™ product, the Vuzix Smart Glasses M100™ product, or asimilar product by Vuzix Corporation of Rochester, N.Y., United Statesof America. In other specific examples, a head mountable wearable usercomputer device can include the Virtual Retinal Display™ product, orsimilar product by the University of Washington of Seattle, Wash.,United States of America. Meanwhile, in further specific examples, alimb mountable wearable user computer device can include the iWatch™product, or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California,United States of America, the Galaxy Gear or similar product of SamsungGroup of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea, the Moto 360 product orsimilar product of Motorola of Schaumburg, Illinois, United States ofAmerica, and/or the Zip™ product, One™ product, Flex™ product, Charge™product, Surge™ product, or similar product by Fitbit Inc. of SanFrancisco, Calif., United States of America.

In many embodiments, selection system 305, omnichannel content selectionsystem 310, revival selection system 311, personalization selectionsystem 312, web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325 can eachinclude one or more input devices (e.g., one or more keyboards, one ormore keypads, one or more pointing devices such as a computer mouse orcomputer mice, one or more touchscreen displays, a microphone, etc.),and/or can each include one or more display devices (e.g., one or moremonitors, one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In theseor other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be similaror identical to keyboard 104 (FIG. 1) and/or a mouse 110 (FIG. 1).Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be similar oridentical to monitor 106 (FIG. 1) and/or screen 108 (FIG. 1). The inputdevice(s) and the display device(s) can be coupled to selection system305, omnichannel content selection system 310, revival selection system311, personalization selection system 312, web server 320, and/orphysical stores system 325 in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner,and the coupling can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locallyand/or remotely. As an example of an indirect manner (which may or maynot also be a remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can beused to couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to theprocessor(s) and/or the memory storage unit(s). In some embodiments, theKVM switch also can be part of selection system 305, omnichannel contentselection system 310, revival selection system 311, personalizationselection system 312, web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325.In a similar manner, the processors and/or the non-transitorycomputer-readable media can be local and/or remote to each other.

Meanwhile, in many embodiments, selection system 305, omnichannelcontent selection system 310, revival selection system 311,personalization selection system 312, web server 320, and/or physicalstores system 325 also can be configured to communicate with one or moredatabases. The one or more databases can include a product database thatcontains information about products, items, or SKUs (stock keepingunits), for example. The one or more databases can be stored on one ormore memory storage units (e.g., non-transitory computer readablemedia), which can be similar or identical to the one or more memorystorage units (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media) describedabove with respect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1). Also, in someembodiments, for any particular database of the one or more databases,that particular database can be stored on a single memory storage unitor the contents of that particular database can be spread acrossmultiple ones of the memory storage units storing the one or moredatabases, depending on the size of the particular database and/or thestorage capacity of the memory storage units.

The one or more databases can each include a structured (e.g., indexed)collection of data and can be managed by any suitable databasemanagement systems configured to define, create, query, organize,update, and manage database(s). Exemplary database management systemscan include MySQL (Structured Query Language) Database, PostgreSQLDatabase, Microsoft SQL Server Database, Oracle Database, SAP (Systems,Applications, & Products) Database, and IBM DB2 Database.

Meanwhile, communication between selection system 305, omnichannelcontent selection system 310, revival selection system 311,personalization selection system 312, web server 320, physical storessystem 325, and/or the one or more databases can be implemented usingany suitable manner of wired and/or wireless communication. Accordingly,system 300 can include any software and/or hardware componentsconfigured to implement the wired and/or wireless communication.Further, the wired and/or wireless communication can be implementedusing any one or any combination of wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork topologies (e.g., ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisychain, hybrid, etc.) and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN)protocol(s), local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network(WAN) protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline networkprotocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can include Bluetooth,Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave, etc.; exemplary LANand/or WAN protocol(s) can include Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (also known as Ethernet), IEEE 802.11(also known as WiFi), etc.; and exemplary wireless cellular networkprotocol(s) can include Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSMEvolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS(IS-136/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated DigitalEnhanced Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+),Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communicationsoftware and/or hardware implemented can depend on the networktopologies and/or protocols implemented, and vice versa. In manyembodiments, exemplary communication hardware can include wiredcommunication hardware including, for example, one or more data buses,such as, for example, universal serial bus(es), one or more networkingcables, such as, for example, coaxial cable(s), optical fiber cable(s),and/or twisted pair cable(s), any other suitable data cable, etc.Further exemplary communication hardware can include wirelesscommunication hardware including, for example, one or more radiotransceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc. Additionalexemplary communication hardware can include one or more networkingcomponents (e.g., modulator-demodulator components, gateway components,etc.).

In many embodiments, one or more of the webpages displayed by thewebsite hosted by web server 320 can include one or more contentelements. In some embodiments, these content elements can includeinformation about one or more items that are available on the website.For example, a webpage can include a content element that includes linksto item pages for three separate items. In many embodiments, these itemscan be featured and/or promoted items. In some embodiments, the itemscan be displayed sequentially, such as displaying one at a time in athree-part cycle of three items, or displaying five items at a time in athree-part cycle of fifteen items. These content elements are sometimesreferred to as item modules and/or carousels. Conventionally, thesecontent elements are designed by merchants, and there are many possiblecontent elements from which to select when displaying one or morecontent elements on a webpage of the website. In some conventionalapproaches, content elements have been generated based on the pastpurchases of items by a user (e.g., 350-351) to facilitate easy reorder(ERO) of these items. In some such cases, the items in a content elementdesigned for ERO that are displayed to the user (e.g., 350-351) on thewebsite can include items that were purchased by the user in physicalstores (e.g., 360-361).

Selecting a content element from among a group of content elements canpresent the explore-exploit dilemma, particularly when the contentelements are regularly changing. Specifically, there is a choice betweenexploiting content elements that are known to be effective and exploringnew content elements to learn their effectiveness. The “exploit” optionin the explore-exploit dilemma arises when certain content elements areknown, based on past experience, to be effective at achieving anobjective. Examples of the objective can be increasing conversions(e.g., purchases) based on the display of the content element orincreasing click-through-rates based on the display of the contentelement. Based on showing content elements in the past, it can bedetermined that certain content elements are more effective at achievingan objective than other content elements. To increase conversionsassociated with a webpage (e.g., the homepage) of a website hosted byweb server 320, for example, system 300 can decide to display contentelement that have produced high conversion rates in the past. Exploitingthese content elements that are known to be effective can providecustomer satisfaction and can further business objectives.

By contrast, the “explore” option in the explore-exploit dilemma ariseswhen a new content element is available for selection to be displayed onthe website and information about its effectiveness at achieving theobjection would be enhanced by displaying the content element andcollecting feedback. Without testing a new content element on thewebsite, system 300 lacks the data to decide whether the content elementshould be exploited. As new content elements can be added regularly, dueto new items, changing market demands, or different business priorities,for example, there can be a lack of sufficient data as to whether thesenew content elements are effective and should be exploited. Exploringthese new content elements can facilitate discovering which new contentelements are effective, so that content elements that are found to beeffective can be exploited.

Contextual explore-exploit can add an additional layer of complexity, inwhich the approach to resolving the explore-exploit dilemma can dependon the context. For example, the context could be the user (e.g.,350-351), in which case the approach to resolving the explore-exploitdilemma can be to adapt according to one or more characteristics of theuser. Another example of the explore-exploit dilemma appears in decidingrecommended items in recommendation modules in item pages. For example,an item page can feature an item, and describe the item. This item canbe called the anchor item for the item page. The item page also caninclude additional items that can be recommended. Selection of theserecommended items can involve the explore-exploit dilemma. Continuousexploration arises here because new items, and new content elements, areregularly added to the website.

Sometimes, a business group that operates a website, such as the websitehosted by web server 320, also operates physical stores, such asphysical stores 360-361. Such an arrangement presents the possibility ofusers interacting in either or both of these channels. For example, thefirst channel can be the physical stores (e.g., 360-361), which is alsoreferred to as “offline,” or “store,” and the second channel can be thewebsite, which is also referred to as “online.” In an omnichannelsetting, there can be many different objectives, such as considering ifthe content elements on the homepage focus on driving online conversionor instead focus on driving offline conversion. Conventional approachesto resolve the explore-exploit dilemma often ignore the offlineconversion option. Yet many users (e.g., 350-351) visit the website toview information about items, without purchasing the items through thewebsite, and then go to physical stores (e.g., 360-361) to purchase theitems viewed on the website. Moreover, certain items are more typicallypurchased in physical stores, such as grocery items, for example, andother items are more typically purchased online, such as electronics,for example.

In many embodiments, system 300 can provide an automated approach toresolving the explore-exploit dilemma in the omnichannel setting andbased on the context of the user. For example, if a user (e.g., 350-351)that typically purchases items through the physical stores (e.g.,360-361) visits the website, the user can be more likely to see contentelements designed to drive conversion in the physical stores. On theother hand, a user (e.g., 350-351) that typically purchases items onlinecan be more likely to see content elements suited to drive onlineconversion in the web site.

Considering the omnichannel setting in resolving the explore-exploitdilemma can add additional considerations, such as deciding whenexploiting should be done for each objective, and deciding how to targetdifferent objectives for different contexts when deciding to exploit.The omnichannel setting in the explore-exploit dilemma brings in acomplexity in the modeling that cannot be resolved by treating it as acontextual-only explore-exploit dilemma. In a contextualexplore-exploit, given the context, the dilemma is choosing only whetherto explore or to exploit. In an omnichannel setting, by contrast, thedilemma involves further deciding which channel to focus on whenexploiting.

As described above, conventional approaches generally ignore thedifferences in responses in the different channels. But approaches thatinvolve consolidation or summarization of metrics across the channelswhen deciding to exploit, such as by adding up the conversion rates fromthe physical stores and the website, and then exploiting based on thetotal conversion rate, lead to sub-optimal exploiting behavior from themodel, as illustrated in the following example.

Consider a user U₁ who usually purchases through the physical stores andis known, through past performance data, to be impacted by anoffline-catered content element C_(off) with conversion rate of 1%offline with volatility 0.01%, but has a 0.2% conversion rate onlinewith volatility 0.14%. User U₁ also is known to be impacted by anonline-catered content element C_(on) with a conversion rate of 0.6%offline with volatility 0.1%, and 0.6% conversion rate online withvolatility 0.1%. Adding up the conversion rates for user U₁ would resultin C_(on) and C_(off) being almost equivalent, having almost equal meansand volatility of total conversion rates. Using this summarizedinformation in an explore-exploit mechanism would result in decidingthat these two content elements C_(on) and C_(off) are equivalent foruser U₁, and would result in treating these content elements in the sameway. However, using the more granular information can result inexploiting C_(off) more often for user U₁, as there is a higherconversion rate of 1% with a low volatility of 0.01%. This approach ofusing channel-specific past-performance data can result in a more robustapproach to resolve the explore-exploit dilemma. In many embodiments,system 300 beneficially can implement this more robust approach byselecting content elements that consider both the context and thechannel setting in resolving the explore-exploit dilemma.

In many embodiments, system 300 can provide an automated approach toresolving the explore-exploit dilemma with revival. Conventionalapproaches typically involve a static environment that generally ignoreschanging preferences in an evolving environment. In a staticenvironment, user preferences for content elements are assumed to notchange over time. In a dynamic environment, content element preferencesof users can evolve over time for multiple reasons, such as seasonality,changes in website traffic, or changes in popularity of content. Forexample, a content element featuring one or more Halloween costumes cangenerate interest from mid-to-end of the month in October. The sameHalloween costumes can generate little interest in other months of theyear due to seasonality. Another example of an evolving environment caninclude a change in website traffic composition, such as thedemographics of the users of the website. For example, users of thewebsite could have historically consisted primarily of customers of onegeneration who disliked a particular type of content element, yet thisparticular type of content element can be popular with users of anothergeneration that have recently become a significant portion of the totalusers of the website. Due to such changing preferences, when aparticular content element is found to not generate interest (e.g., isunpopular) on a website, the tracked data for that content elementshowing low interest can be temporary and not permanent.

From time-to-time, tracked data for content elements can be re-exploredto validate prior data and learnings to revive content elements that areno longer displayed (e.g., retired) due to not generating enoughinterest to be displayed on one or more web sites. In many embodiments,system 300 beneficially can implement this more robust approach byselecting content elements that consider an evolving environment andreviving content elements temporarily retired due to seasonality,website traffic changes, or changing generational preferences inresolving the explore-exploit dilemma.

In many embodiments, system 300 can provide an automated approach toresolving the explore-exploit dilemma with personalization usingdynamically shared learnings. Conventional approaches generally involveimposing popular preferences to each possible context on everyone by afast learning model used in contextual learning. Generally, a fastlearning model typically aggregates users (e.g., individual contexts)into a single group of users in order to draw fast and generalizedconclusions regarding user preferences (e.g., context), among otherthings. Although the speed in drawing generalized conclusions can resultin fast data ready to be analyzed for a period of time, the generalizedconclusions sometimes do not reflect the specific preferences of theuser (e.g., the preferences of a specific user for specific content)when the context preferences of one or more users differ from thepopular preferences of other users.

In a more-customized learning model, data collected typically containsmore granular information of users to delineate specific preferencesfrom popular preferences of users and to separate the preferences of themajority of users in the group (e.g., popular preferences) from theothers. Generally, a customized learning model uses data that can bemore granular (e.g., detailed), which can yield an inverse effect wherethe speed of learning for each possible context in contextual learningcan be decreased proportionally to the increase in the granularity ofthe data used. Although the customized learning model can moreaccurately reflect the specific preferences of each user of a group ofusers for each piece of content in a given time period, in manyembodiments, a balance of users and content preferences can provide amore useful combination used in the customized learning model approach.In several embodiments, in the customized learning model, the balance ofusers can be grouped by individual instances to form segments. By usingsegments, the customized learning model can yield conclusions that canbe drawn fast enough to be relevant and can also derive popularpreferences however, the popular preferences may not be applied and/orimposed on each user in the entire group of users. By not applyingand/or imposing the popular preferences on each user, the customizedlearning model can avoid excluding those users with preferences thatfall outside the bounds of the generalized popular preferences.

In some embodiments, in leaning toward a more-customized learning modelin contextual learning using individual users or a group of aggregatedusers can result in a tradeoff with a decrease in the speed of thelearning process in order to gain customized user content preferences.In a dynamic world setting, users grouped by individual instances toform segments would be further formed into a pool of segments used inthe customized learning model for contextual learning. Faster contextuallearning in the dynamic work setting can handle a content pool and apool of segments constantly changing and evolving over time. In a numberof embodiments, applying popular content preferences can be advantageousfor some but not all of the segments (e.g., sets of grouped users). Forexample, in a huge segment pool, it can be likely that some segments inthe huge segment pool can have similar content preferences. Based onthis intuition, in some embodiments, an approach can be used for fasterlearning in the contextual learning model in which some of the segmentswith similar content preferences share learnings with each other tocompensate and/or resolve potential slower customized learning occurringin some segments of the pool of segments for contextual learning.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 400. In some embodiments, method 400 can be a method of automaticresolution of the explore-exploit decision in omnichannel settings.Method 400 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodimentspresented herein. Method 400 can be employed in many differentembodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or theactivities of method 400 can be performed in the order presented. Inother embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activitiesof method 400 can be performed in any suitable order. In still otherembodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or theactivities of method 400 can be combined or skipped.

In many embodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3), selection system 305 (FIG. 3),and/or omnichannel content selection system 310 (FIG. 3) can be suitableto perform method 400 and/or one or more of the activities of method400. In these or other embodiments, one or more of the activities ofmethod 400 can be implemented as one or more computing instructionsconfigured to run at one or more processors and configured to be storedat one or more non-transitory computer readable media. Suchnon-transitory computer readable media can be part of a computer systemsuch as selection system 305 (FIG. 3), web server 320 (FIG. 3), and/orphysical stores system 325 (FIG. 3). The processor(s) can be similar oridentical to the processor(s) described above with respect to computersystem 100 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, method 400 and other blocks in method 400 caninclude using a distributed network including distributed memoryarchitecture to perform the associated activity. This distributedarchitecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resourcesto reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to beaccessible from a central location.

Referring to FIG. 4, method 400 can include a block 401 of trackingusage data for users using a first channel and a second channel. Theusers can be similar or identical to users 340-341 (FIG. 3). In manyembodiments, the first channel can be one or more physical storesassociated with a web site, and the second channel can be the website.The physical stores can be similar or identical to physical stores360-361 (FIG. 3). The website can be similar or identical to the websitehosted by web server 320 (FIG. 3). In many embodiments, the usage datacan include information about the users using and/or completingtransactions at the first channel and the second channel. In severalembodiments, the usage data can include the quantity of conversions byeach of the users using the first channel and the quantity ofconversions by each of the users using the second channel during a firsttime period. In some embodiments, the first time period can beapproximately three months. In other embodiments, the first time periodcan be one month, two months, four months, six months, a year, oranother suitable time period. As an example, the usage data can trackthat a user purchased items at the one or more physical stores twiceduring the past three months, and that the use also purchase itemsonline twice during the past three months. In other embodiments, usagedata can include other metrics instead of, or in addition to, thequantity of conversions by each of the users for each of the channels.For example, the usage data for each user can include metrics such thenumber of times the user used the website, add-to-cart statistics on thewebsite for the user, purchase amounts for the user on the websiteand/or in the one or more physical stores, and/or other suitableinformation.

In several embodiments, method 400 also can include a block 402 ofperforming a classification of first users of the users into a firstgroup and second users of the users into a second group. In manyembodiments, the classification can be based on the usage data. In someembodiments, the classification of the first users into the first groupcan be conditioned on: (a) a quantity of conversions using the firstchannel for each of the first users in the first group being greaterthan or equal to a first threshold during the first time period, and (b)a quantity of conversions using the second channel for each of the firstusers in the first group being less than a second threshold during thefirst time period. In several embodiments, the classification of thesecond users into the second group can be conditioned on the quantity ofthe conversions using the second channel for each of the second users inthe second group being greater than or equal to the second thresholdduring the first time period. In some embodiments, the first thresholdis one, and the second threshold also is one. In other embodiments, thefirst threshold can be two, three, four, five, or another suitablenumber, and/or the second threshold can be two, three, four five, oranother suitable number. In some embodiments, the first threshold can bethe same as the second threshold. In other embodiments, the firstthreshold can be different from the second threshold. In yet otherembodiments, the classification of the users into the first group or thesecond group can be based on other criteria and/or rules using the usagedata.

As an example, users who have no purchase history on the web site in thepast three months can be considered “store customers” and can beclassified into the first group. Users who have purchased items on thewebsite at least once in the past three months can be considered “onlinecustomers.” In other embodiments, as explained above, other criteriaand/or rules can be used to classify the users into the first group orthe second group.

In many embodiments, the classification of each of the users can definea context for the user. In several embodiments, the classification of auser into a group or context can be transient, and can change readily.For example, suppose user A purchased items only in physical stores inthe last three months. User A then visits the website, and can beclassified, based on the conditions described above, into the firstgroup as a store customer. If user A then makes a purchase on the website and if user A then visits the website a week later, then user A canbe classified on this subsequent visit, based on the conditionsdescribed above, as an online customer.

In a number of embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block403 of, for each impression of a content element of content elementsbeing displayed on a website to a user of the users, tracking impressionresponse data including: (a) whether the user is grouped into the firstgroup or the second group, and (b) response data including: (i) a firstresponse by the user to the content element in the first channel, and(ii) a second response by the user to the content element in the secondchannel. In many embodiments, each of the content elements can includeinformation regarding one or more items available on the website. Thecontent elements can be similar or identical to the content elementsdescribed above. Each time a content element is displayed to a user canbe referred to as an “impression.”

In many embodiments, the first response can indicate whether or not theuser responded to the content element in the first channel, and thesecond response can indicate whether or not the user responded to thecontent element in the second channel. In some embodiments, for theresponse data, the first response by the user to the content element inthe first channel indicates whether or not the user performed a firstchannel conversion associated with the content element, and/or thesecond response by the user to the content element in the second channelindicates whether or not the user performed a second channel conversionassociated with the content element. In other embodiments, a metricother than conversion can be used. For example, a metric such asclick-through-rate can be used to indicate a second response by the userto the content element in the second channel.

In several embodiments, the first channel conversion can be referred toas a “store conversion,” and the second channel conversion can bereferred to as an “online conversion.” In several embodiments, the firstchannel conversion can be tracked as having been performed when the userpurchased at least one of the items displayed in the content element inthe first channel within a second time period of the content elementbeing displayed on the website to the user. In some embodiments, thesecond time period can be approximately seven days. In otherembodiments, the second time period can be approximately one day, twodays, three days, four days, five days, six days, two weeks, threeweeks, or another suitable time period. As an example, if the contentelement is displayed to a user A on a webpage on the website on a firstdate, called the impression date, and if user A purchases at least oneof the items shown in the content element from a physical store withinseven days from the impression date, then the impression can be trackedas a first channel conversion, also referred to as a store conversion.

In a number of embodiments, the second channel conversion can be trackedas having been performed when the user purchased at least one of theitems displayed in the content element in the second channel within athird time period of the content element being displayed on the websiteto the user. In some embodiments, the third time period can beapproximately seven days. In other embodiments, the third time periodcan be approximately one day, two days, three days, four days, fivedays, six days, two weeks, three weeks, or another suitable time period.In several embodiments, the third time period can be the same as thesecond time period. In other embodiments, the third time period can bedifferent from the second time period. As an example, if the contentelement is displayed to a user A on a webpage on the website on theimpression date, and if user A purchases at least one of the items shownin the content element through the website within seven days from theimpression date, then the impression can be tracked as a second channelconversion, also referred to as an online conversion. In someembodiments, if the impression to the user results in both a storeconversion and an online conversion, the impression can be tracked asboth a first channel conversion and a second channel conversion.

In several embodiments, method 400 further can include a block 404 ofreceiving a request from a first user of the users to display a webpageof the website. In many embodiments, the webpage can be one of thewebpages on the website that includes one or more content elements. Forexample, the webpage can be a homepage of the web site, or anotherwebpage of the web site that includes one or more content elements.

In a number of embodiments, method 400 additionally can include a block405 of generating the webpage to include a selected content element fromamong the content elements. In many embodiments, the selected contentelement can be selected based on the classification of the first userand the impression response data for the content elements. In severalembodiments, the selected content element can be selected to resolve theexplore-exploit decision by considering by the classification of theuser and the differences between the channels in the past performance ofthe content elements. In many embodiments, block 405 can be implementedas shown in FIG. 5 and described below.

In many embodiments, selecting the selected content element can beperformed each time a user requests a webpage on the web site thatincludes a content element. Each time the first user visits a particularwebpage, such as the homepage of the website, omnichannel contentselection system 310 (FIG. 3) can potentially make different choicesabout which content element to select and display on the webpage, due torandomness introduced in the approach to selecting the module, even ifthe method of selecting the appropriate module remains the same. Thus,for example, each time the homepage is requested by the first user,omnichannel content selection system 310 (FIG. 3) can select a contentelement. In many embodiments, method 400 further can include collectingfeedback by tracking the impression response data for the first user ineach of the first channel and the second channel, similarly as describedabove in block 403 (FIG. 3).

In several embodiments, the approach to selecting the content elementalso can depend on the context. For example, depending on whether theclassification of the user is in the first group as a store customer orthe second group as an online customer, the approach to selecting thecontent element can be different. In a number of embodiments, each timefeedback is collected, the feedback can be associated with the approachfor the group in which the user is classified.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for block405 of generating the webpage to include a selected content element fromamong the content elements. Block 405 is merely exemplary and is notlimited to the embodiments presented herein. Block 405 can be employedin many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted ordescribed herein. In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes,and/or the activities of block 405 can be performed in the orderpresented. In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/orthe activities of block 405 can be performed in any suitable order. Instill other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes,and/or the activities of block 405 can be combined or skipped.

In several embodiments, blocks 501, 502, and/or 503, described below,can be performed for each content element of the content elements.

Referring to FIG. 5, block 405 can include a block 501 of generating afirst random sample from a posterior distribution for a first channelconversion being performed for the each content element by users in theclassification of the first user, based on the impression response datafor the each content element. In many embodiments, the first channelconversion can be defined as described above.

Conventional approaches to selecting content elements to resolve theexplore-exploit dilemma often use Thompson sampling. For example,suppose the objective is to increase a single conversion rate (that isnot channel dependent) by choosing an appropriate content element on thehomepage of the website. Thompson sampling would operate, each timefacing the explore-exploit dilemma, by generating, for each contentelement C, a random sample w(C) from the posterior distribution of theconversion rate of content element C, and selected the content asfollows:

-   -   Selected content element=argmax_(c) w(C)

An extension of this approach can be to choose more than one contentelement by choosing the top n content elements from a sorted list ofw(C) in descending order. The Thompson sampling approach generally stopsexploring the content elements in which the conversion rate is low, asthe random sample drawn from the posterior distribution of theconversion rate of such a content element is very unlikely to be morethan that of the other better-performing content elements. Moreover, theThompson sampling approach can keep exploring content elements in whichthere is still a decent chance of being effective, such as a contentelement having a posterior conversion rate distribution with arelatively lower mean but a high volatility, indicating that limitedinformation has been gathered about the content element. Further theThompson sampling approach can exploit the content elements with thecurrent highest mean in posterior conversion rate distribution, as thiscontent element is most likely to be the selected content element.

In many embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310 (FIG. 3)can improve the Thompson sampling approach for the omnichannel settingeach time the explore-exploit dilemma is faced by generating, for eachcontent element C and each channel ch, a random sample w(C, ch) from theposterior distribution of the conversion rate for the content element Cin channel ch. For example, if the channels are store and online, twosamples can be drawn, one for conversion rate in store and one forconversion rate online. The content element can be selected as follows:

-   -   Selected content element=argmax_(c) max_(ch) w(C, ch)

An extension of this approach can be to choose more than one contentelement by choosing the top n content elements from a sorted list ofmax_(ch)w(C, ch) in descending order.

Use of the max function across the random samples chosen for thechannels can beneficially select the most promising channel. The reasonbehind this choice is that, in the relatively short window used todetermine conversion, it is very unlikely that the many users willconvert in multiple channels for the items in the selected contentelement, so it is preferable to place the full bet on the most promisingchannel. In other situations in which conversion in multiple channels islikely, a sum function can be used as follows to select the contentelement:

${{Selected}\mspace{14mu}{content}\mspace{14mu}{element}} = {\arg\;{\max_{C}{\sum\limits_{ch}{w\left( {C,{ch}} \right)}}}}$

This alternate version still uses the granular information about theconversion rates in each channel for each content element, and can beused in situations in which conversions in multiple channels is likely.

When also considering context in the omnichannel setting, the approachto selecting the content element can be altered by, for each context, x,generating a random sample w(x, C, ch) from the posterior distributionof the conversion rate for the content element C in channel ch forcontext x. The content element can be selected as follows:

-   -   Selected content element for context x=argmax_(c) max_(ch) w(x,        C, ch)

As described above, the context x can be characteristics of the user,anchor item features, etc. For example, context x can be whether theuser is classified in the first group as a store customer or in thesecond group as an online customer. As a result of this adaptedapproach, the content elements selected to be displayed to storecustomers are more likely to be content elements designed for storeconversion when the store customers visit the webpage, whereas thecontent elements selected to be displayed to online customers are morelikely to be content elements designed for online conversion when theonline customers visit the webpage.

Consider a simplified example in which there are three content elements,C₁, C₂, and C₃, from which the selected content element can be selected.For each of the content elements, the impression response data caninclude information that can be used to derive the probability for storeconversion or online conversion depending on the context of either astore customer or an online customer. The probabilities for these fourcombinations of scenarios can be expressed as follows for contentelement C₁:

-   -   P(store conversion|C₁, store customer)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, store customer)    -   P(store conversion|C₁, online customer)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, online customer)

The probabilities can be expressed in the form of posteriordistributions using conventional Bayesian techniques, such as a Betadistribution, based on the impression response data. For example, theposterior distributions for C1 can be expressed based on a certain setof data in the impression response data as follows:

-   -   P(store conversion|C₁, store customer)˜Beta(10, 90)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, store customer)˜Beta(1, 99)    -   P(store conversion|C₁, online customer)˜Beta(4, 96)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, online customer)˜Beta(2, 98) The        posterior distributions can be regularly updated based on        updates to the impression response data, as described above in        block 403 (FIG. 4). For example, consider a situation in which        C₁ has been selected for display to 10 additional store        customers, out of whom 1 has had a store conversion and none        have had an online conversion. Consider further that C₁ has been        selected for display to 5 additional online customers, out of        whom none have converted in store or online. By incorporating        this feedback, along with the existing data, into the impression        response data, the posterior distributions for C₁ can be        expressed as follows:    -   P(store conversion|C₁, store customer)˜Beta(10+1=11, 90+9=99)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, store customer)˜Beta(1+0=1, 99+10=109)    -   P(store conversion|C₁, online customer)˜Beta(4+0=4, 96+5=101)    -   P(online conversion|C₁, online customer)˜Beta(2+0=2, 98+5=103)

Posterior distributions can be generated for content elements C₂ and C₃in a similar manner.

If the first user who requested the webpage in block 404 (FIG. 4) isclassified in the first group as a store customer, for each of thecontent elements, omnichannel content selection system 310 (FIG. 3) cangenerate a random sample for the probability of store conversion in thecontext of a store customer, which would be a random sample fromBeta(11, 99), in this example.

In several embodiments, block 405 also can include a block 502 ofgenerating a second random sample from a posterior distribution for asecond channel conversion being performed for the each content elementby users in the classification of the first user, based on theimpression response data for the each content element. In the exampleabove, if the first user who requested the webpage in block 404 (FIG. 4)is classified in the first group as a store customer, for each of thecontent elements, omnichannel content selection system 310 (FIG. 3) cangenerate a random sample for the probability of online conversion in thecontext of a store customer, which would be a random sample fromBeta(1,109), in this example.

In a number of embodiments, block 405 additionally can include a block503 of determining a weighting for the each content element based on amaximum of the first random sample and the second random sample. Forexample, block 503 can involve selecting the greater of the first randomsample and second random sample. As explained above, the maximum of therandom samples for the different channels can be determined. Thisapproach can provide an advantageous improvement in the computerfunctionality over the conventional Thompson sampling approach in whichonly one posterior distribution is associated with a content element fora given context. In the example above, the maximum can be determinedfrom the random samples generated from Beta(11, 99) and Beta(1,109) todetermine the weight for content element C₁. In other words, for each ofthe content elements, if the first user is classified in the first groupas a store customer, the random sample generated for the probability ofstore conversion for the content element in the context of a storecustomer and the random sample generated for the probability of onlineconversion for the content element in the context of a store customercan be input into the maximum function to determine the weight of thecontent element. The weights for each of the other content elements, C₂and C₃, can be generated in a similar manner.

In several embodiments, block 405 further can include a block 504 ofselecting the selected content element from among the content elementssuch that the weighting of the selected content element is a maximum ofthe weightings of the content elements. For example, if the weightingfor C₂ is higher than the weightings for C₁ and C₃, as calculated inblock 503, C₂ can be selected as the selected content element to includein the webpage generated in block 405 (FIG. 4). The content element withthe maximum weight can thus be shown to the first user. If the firstuser were instead classified in the second group as an online customer,then the posterior distributions used for generating the random samplesin blocks 501 and 502 can be based on the context of an online customer.

Based on the randomness built into the approach, each time the uservisits the webpage, the content element displayed is not guaranteed tobe the same, even if the context of the user (e.g., store customer vs.online customer) remains the same, as the randomness across theposterior distributions will continue to explore content elements thatare not yet proven through sufficient impression data to have loweffectiveness, and will continue to exploit content elements that havebeen proven through impression data to be effective. The feedbackreceived from the users will continue to change the posteriorprobabilities, thus influencing the approach in selecting the module.Based on actions of a user, the context of the user can change, such asif a store customer suddenly started shopping on the web site to becomean online customer. The approach of choosing the content element thusalso adapts to the ever-changing channel preferences of the user.

Jumping ahead in the drawings, FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 700. In some embodiments, method 700 can be a method of automaticresolution of the explore-exploit decision with revival. Method 700 ismerely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.Method 700 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples notspecifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, theprocedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 700 can beperformed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the procedures,the processes, and/or the activities of method 700 can be performed inany suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of theprocedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method 700 can becombined or skipped.

In many embodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3), selection system 305 (FIG. 3),and/or revival selection system 311 (FIG. 3) can be suitable to performmethod 700 and/or one or more of the activities of method 700. In theseor other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method 700 can beimplemented as one or more computing instructions configured to run atone or more processors and configured to be stored at one or morenon-transitory computer readable media. Such non-transitory computerreadable media can be part of a computer system such as selection system305 (FIG. 3), web server 320 (FIG. 3) and/or physical stores system 325(FIG. 3). The processor(s) can be similar or identical to theprocessor(s) described above with respect to computer system 100 (FIG.1).

In some embodiments, method 700 and other blocks in method 700 caninclude using a distributed network including distributed memoryarchitecture to perform the associated activity. This distributedarchitecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resourcesto reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to beaccessible from a central location.

Referring to FIG. 7, method 700 can include a block 701 of displayingcontent elements on one or more websites. The content elements can besimilar or identical to the content elements described above. In manyembodiments, the content elements can be displayed on one or morewebpages associated with a website. The one or more websites can besimilar or identical to the website hosted by web server 320 (FIG. 3).

In a number of embodiments, method 700 additionally can include a block702 of, for each impression of a content element of content elementsbeing displayed on one or more websites to a user of the users, trackingimpression response data comprising (a) a response of the user to thecontent element of the content elements displayed on the one or more websites and (b) a time of the response of the user. The users can besimilar or identical to users 340-341 (FIG. 3). In many embodiments, atime of the response of the user can be conditioned on (a) a quantity ofimpressions using a first period of time for each of the users beinggreater than or equal to a first threshold during the first time period,and (b) a quantity of impressions using a second period of time for eachof the users being less than a second threshold during the first timeperiod. In many embodiments, each of the content elements can includeinformation regarding one or more items available on the website. Thecontent elements can be similar or identical to the content elementsdescribed above. Each time a content element is displayed to a user canbe referred to as an “impression.”

In many embodiments, the impression response data can track conversionrate of the content elements by the users. In several embodiments,tracking impression response data can track a conversion rate of thecontent elements by the users. In other embodiments, impression responsedata can track a conversion rate of the content elements by an item(e.g., an anchor item) of a webpage. In several embodiments, impressionresponse data can track a conversion rate of the content elements by alocation (e.g., a state or zip code).

In several embodiments, each response of a user to an impression can betracked in the impression response data by a time of the response by theuser. When the weightings of the selected content elements aredetermined, as described below in block 704, the temporal decay factorcan be applied to adjust weightings based on the time of the response.In a number of embodiments, times of the impression response data can betracked on a weekly basis, and the temporal decay factor can be appliedto adjust the impression response data on a weekly basis once theweightings of the content elements can be determined. For example, allimpression responses during a first week can be tracked and/or appliedas having occurred during the first week, and all impression responsesduring a second week can be tracked and/or applied as having occurredduring the second week. As described below in more detail, tracking theimpression responses on a weekly basis can treat responses on each dayof the same week the same, to avoid the effects of weekly seasonality(e.g., a content element being more popular on weekend days than othernon-weekend days). In other embodiments, times of the impressionresponse data can be tracked and/or applied on daily basis, a monthlybasis, or on another suitable time period.

In many embodiments, the response of the user can indicate whether ornot the user responded to the content element displayed on one or morewebsites during a period of time. In some embodiments, for theimpression response data, the response by the user to the contentelement can indicate whether or not the user performed a conversionassociated with the content element (e.g., the user purchased throughthe website an item included in the content element). In otherembodiments, a metric other than conversion can be used. For example, ametric such as click-through-rate can be used to indicate a response bythe user to the content element displayed on one or more websites. Inyet another embodiment, add-to-cart can be used as a response metric. Inseveral embodiments, the conversion can be tracked as having beenperformed when the user purchased at least one of the items displayed inthe content element.

In some embodiments, block 702 of, for each impression of a contentelement of content elements being displayed on one or more websites to auser of the users, tracking impression response data comprising (a) aresponse of the user to the content element of the content elementsdisplayed on the one or more websites and (b) a time of the response ofthe user also can include various techniques from block 403 (FIG. 4)and/or block 803 (FIG. 8, described below). For example, in someembodiments, each of the users can be assigned a channel classification,and the impression response data can further comprise for eachimpression of the content element (a) the channel classification for theuser of the users, and (b) responses of the user in each of twochannels, as described in block 403 (FIG. 4). In the same or otherembodiments, the users can be classified into segments, and theimpression response data can further comprise, for each impression ofthe content element, one or more segments of the segments in which theuser can be classified, as described further in block 803 (FIG. 8,described below).

In several embodiments, method 700 further can include a block 703 ofreceiving a request from a user of the users to display a webpage of theone or more websites. In many embodiments, the webpage can be one of thewebpages on the website that includes one or more content elements. Forexample, the webpage can be a homepage of the web site, or anotherwebpage of the web site that includes one or more content elements.

In several embodiments, method 700 further can include a block 704 ofdetermining weightings of the content elements based on posteriordistributions using the impression response data, as adjusted by atemporal decay factor based on the times of the impression response datafor the content elements. In a number of embodiments, block 704 ofdetermining weightings of the content elements based on posteriordistributions using the impression response data, as adjusted by atemporal decay factor based on the times of the impression response datafor the content elements can include generating a random sample from aposterior distribution of the posterior distributions for each contentelement of the content elements, using the impression response data, asadjusted by the temporal decay factor based on a time of the times ofthe impression response data for the each content element. A weighting,w(C), can be generated as a random sample from a posterior distributionfor each content element, based on the impression response data for theeach content element. This temporal decay factor can be used to adjustthe posterior distribution, which is based on the impression responsedata, as described below. In some embodiments, the temporal decay factorcan be fixed. In other embodiments, the temporal decay factor can beadapted based on changes in the impression response data using acorrelation computation. In a number of embodiments, the temporal decayfactor can be further adapted differently based on different contentelement classes of the content elements.

Conventional approaches to selecting content elements to resolve theexplore-exploit dilemma often use Thompson sampling that can be based ona static environment, as described above. Thompson sampling can be usedin a static environment to retire (e.g., stop exploring) contentelements with a low conversion rate (e.g., poor performing contentelements) on a permanent basis. For example, when the impressionresponse data indicates that a content element is never selected, eventhough it has been presented to users in impressions a large number oftimes, the posterior distribution based on this impression data cancause the content element to be effectively retired, as the weightingrandomly selected from the posterior distribution is unlikely to be highenough to ever be selected. Once a content element is no longerexplored, no new data (e.g., impression response data) can be gathered,so the posterior distribution of the content element would not change.In a static environment, retiring poor-performing content elements canbe a desired behavior, since exploring content elements not performingwastes computer resources.

In many embodiments, revival selection system 311 (FIG. 3) can improvethe conventional Thompson sampling approach by adjusting the Thompsonsampling approach for an evolving environment. In the evolvingenvironment, the conventional Thompson sampling approach of retiringcontent elements permanently can be an undesired result, as userpreferences for the content element can change over time. By causing theposterior distribution of a content element to continue changing, evenwhen the content element is no longer explored or effectively retired,the content element can be revived, such that the retirement is on atemporary basis. In the evolving environment, content elements (e.g., acarousel) with low conversion rates that were not performing (e.g., notresulting in conversions, click-throughs, or other suitable metrics)during a period of time could start performing at a future period oftime. In several embodiments, a content element with a low conversionrate can continue to be explored based on a changing posteriordistribution for the content element in an evolving environment. In someembodiments, a content element with a low conversion rates can beretired temporarily for a period of time. The retired content elementcan be re-explored after the period of time has elapsed. Whether thecontent elements remains retired after the prior of time can be based onwhether the low conversion rate still holds after the retired contentelement is re-explored.

In a number of environments, the chance that an environment has evolvedincreases with time. For example, user preferences for a content elementare more likely to change with the increasing passage of time. Ingeneral, the older empirical observations (e.g., impression responsedata) are for a content element, the less likely that the olderimpression response data will accurately represent the currentenvironment (e.g., current user preferences for the content element). Bydiscounting older impression response data and/or considering newimpression response data for the content element, the content elementcan be revived if the conversion rates improve in response to newerimpressions.

In many embodiments, the generating of posterior distributions can beredefined to include the possibility of revival for content elementspreviously retired by adjusting the how the impression response data isused with a temporal decay factor. The temporal decay factor, (“λ”), canbe applied to each posterior distribution based on the times of theresponses in the impression response data, which can affect theweighting generated for a content element. Temporal decay factor λ canbe applied to cause older data or older empirical observations to betreated as less relevant than current data or current empiricalobservations, as expressed by:

-   -   1 impression (n+1) days before today≈λ^(n) is a number of        impressions yesterday, where 0<λ<1.

In a number of embodiments, using the same temporal decay factor λ forall the days in the period of time (e.g., a week) can eliminate weeklyseasonality effects (e.g., situations in which certain days of the weekhave higher conversions than other days of the week). In someembodiments, applying temporal decay factor λ on a weekly basis can beexpressed as:

-   -   1 impression (n+1) weeks before today≈λ^(n) A number of        impressions last week, where 0<λ<1.

In many embodiments, applying temporal decay factor λ can result in arevival of a retired content element. By applying temporal decay factorλ the posterior distribution for a retired content element can keepchanging even if the retired content element was not recently selected.By applying temporal decay factor λ the confidence on a learning (e.g.,the expected performance of a content element) can decrease as the dataages over time, because the content element was last selected, which canallow the content element to be revived for re-exploration. Withoutapplying a temporal decay factor, a posterior distribution based on atracked metric (e.g., conversion rate) can be determined as follows:

-   -   Posterior (θ(C))=Prior (θ(C)) Π_(i=1) ^(n(C))(θ(C))^(m) ^(i)        ^((C))(1−θ(C))^(1−m) ^(i) ^((C)),

where C represents a content element that is presented in impressions i;each impression is counted as a trial (e.g., response); m_(i)(C) is aresponse or reward function that measures a desired metric (e.g.,conversion rate), such that m_(i)(C) is 1 if the i-th impression of Cresulted in a conversion (or other measured response metric) and 0otherwise; θ(C) is the conversion rate for content C, which is theconversion probability for each trial (e.g., each impression). Withindependent trials, the total number of conversions follow Bin(n(C),θ(C)), where n(C) is the total number of impressions for content elementC, and Bin is a binomial function. In such a case, each trial (e.g.,each impression) is given equal weight in its contributions to thegeneration of posterior distribution.

In many embodiments, the process of generating a posterior distributioncan be using temporal decay factor λ to discount the older impressionresponse data, as follows:

${{{Posterior}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} = {{{Prior}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} \times {\prod\limits_{i = 1}^{n{(C)}}\left\lbrack {\left( {\theta(C)} \right)^{m_{i}{(C)}}\left( {1 - {\theta(C)}} \right)^{{({1 - {\theta{(C)}}})}^{({1 - {m_{i}{(C)}}})}}} \right\rbrack^{\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}}}}},$

where age(i)=j if the i-th impression was shown (j+1) weeks ago, and0<λ<1 is a design parameter, which can be predetermined or adapted, asdescribed below in further detail. In many embodiments, Prior(θ(C)) canbe the Beta(α,β) distribution, so that the posterior distribution ofθ(C) becomes:

${Beta}\left( {{\alpha + {\sum\limits_{i}{\lambda^{ag{e{(i)}}}{M_{i}(C)}}}},\ {\beta + {\sum\limits_{i}{\lambda^{ag{e{(i)}}}\left( {1 - {m_{i}(C)}} \right)}}}} \right)$

Even if no new data is added on a content element, the age(i) for all ican keep changing with time, which in turn can force the posteriordistribution to change.

Properties of the Beta posterior distribution, when used with temporaldecay factor λ can advantageously adjust the behavior of the posteriordistribution to handle an evolving environment. The posterior mean canbe determined as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Posterior}\mspace{14mu}{mean}} = \frac{\alpha + {\sum_{i}{\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}{m_{i}(C)}}}}{\left. {\alpha + {\sum_{i}{\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}{m_{i}(C)}}} + \beta + {\sum_{i}{\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}\left( {1 - {m_{i}C}} \right)}}} \right)}} \\{= \frac{\alpha + {\sum_{i}{\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}{m_{i}(C)}}}}{\alpha + \beta + {\sum_{i}\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}}}} \\{= {\frac{\alpha + \beta}{\alpha + \beta + {\sum_{i}\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}}} \cdot \frac{\alpha}{\alpha + \beta}}} \\{= {\sum\limits_{\{{{j:j} = {{{age}{(i)}}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{some}\mspace{11mu} i}}\}}{\frac{\lambda^{j}\begin{pmatrix}{{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{impressions}\mspace{11mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{the}}\mspace{14mu}} \\{\left( {j + 1} \right) - {{th}\mspace{14mu}{week}}}\end{pmatrix}}{\alpha + \beta + {\sum_{i}\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}}} \times}}} \\{\frac{\left( {{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{conversions}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{the}\mspace{14mu}\left( {j + 1} \right)} - {{th}\mspace{14mu}{week}}} \right)}{\left( {{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{impressions}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{the}\mspace{14mu}\left( {j + 1} \right)} - {{th}\mspace{14mu}{week}}} \right)},}\end{matrix}$

which can show that the posterior is a weighted average of weeklyconversion rates and prior estimated conversion rates. The weight foreach weekly conversion rate can thus decrease as the data gets older.

The posterior variance can be determined as follows:

${{Posterior}\mspace{14mu}{Variance}} = {\frac{1}{\alpha + \beta + {\sum_{i}\lambda^{{age}{(i)}}}} \times {Posterior}\mspace{14mu}{mean} \times {\left( {1 - {{Posterior}\mspace{14mu}{mean}}} \right).}}$

Even if the posterior mean stabilizes once exploring the selectedcontent element is stopped, the posterior variance can increase as ageincreases for the data, which can lower confidence in existingunderstanding of how poorly the content element performs, thus increasethe probability of re-exploring the retired content element.Re-exploring a retired content element can be a desired behavior of theposterior distribution for an evolving environment.

In many embodiments, computational customizations (e.g., optimizations)can be applied to generating posterior distributions. For example,computing the posterior distribution can be based on processing aportion of the data, not the entire data, such that Equation (1) isre-written as follows:

${{Posterior}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} = {{\left\lbrack {{Prior}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} \right\rbrack^{({1 - \lambda})}\left\lbrack {{Posterior}_{a\mspace{14mu}{week}\mspace{14mu}{ago}}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} \right\rbrack}^{\lambda} \times {\sum\limits_{i:{i\mspace{14mu}{was}\mspace{14mu}{shown}\mspace{14mu}{last}\mspace{14mu}{week}}}{\left\lbrack {\left( {\theta(C)} \right)^{m_{i}{(C)}}\left( {1 - {\theta(C)}} \right)^{({1 - {m_{i}{(C)}}})}} \right\rbrack.}}}$

In several embodiments, by applying the weekly update above in theBeta-Binomial setup (prior=beta, empirical=binomial), the a andparameters for the posterior beta distribution for a content element(e.g., carousel) can be defined as follows:

-   -   α_(posterior)=α_(prior)(1−λ)+πα_(posterior a week ago)+Total        conversions last week    -   β_(posterior)=β_(prior)(1−λ)+λα_(posterior a week ago)+Total        impressions last week−Total conversions last week.

In some embodiments, temporal decay factor λ can be a predeterminedfixed value. For example, temporal decay factor λ can be 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,or another suitable predetermined decay factor. A lower temporal decayfactor can cause older data to be discounted more quickly. In otherembodiments, temporal decay factor λ can be adapted dynamically. Inseveral embodiments, temporal decay factor λ can be adjusted dynamicallyas it is used, such as in the previously described computations, todetermine the weightings of the content elements. By using a temporaldecay factor that is fixed for each weekly update of data for a contentelement, temporal decay factor balanced the old and recent impressionresponse data when aggregating the weekly data for each of the contentelements. By contrast, using a temporal decay factor that is adaptivecan adapt to the evolution environment and adjust to trends. Forexample, if the performance of a content element recently is verydifferent from older performance of the content element, the environmentmight have evolved significantly, such that older impression responsedata can be discounted more significantly, in which case temporal decayfactor λ can be lowered. By contrast, if the performance over timeindicates that the environment has not changed significantly, the olderdata can be discounted less significantly by using a higher temporaldecay factor λ to allow this older data to be used more to reinforce therecent data.

In some embodiments, temporal decay factor λ can be adapted as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{\lambda = \left\{ \begin{matrix}{{{Corr}\begin{pmatrix}{{{posterior}\mspace{14mu}{mean}\mspace{14mu} a\mspace{14mu}{week}\mspace{14mu}{ago}},} \\{{last}\mspace{14mu}{week}\mspace{14mu}{mean}}\end{pmatrix}},} & {{{{if}\mspace{14mu}{value}}\mspace{14mu} \geq 0.01},} \\0.01 & {{otherwise},}\end{matrix} \right.} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where Corr is a correlation computation, and the data for thecorrelation computation comes from the content elements (e.g., commoncarousels) that are common to both means. Using the correlationcomputation can adjust temporal decay factor λ based on whether therewas much change in the past week. A floor of 0.01 can be used sotemporal decay factor λ does not go to zero or negative. An indicationof different trends also can indicate an environment evolution, whentemporal decay factor λ uses the posterior mean a week ago and/or theposterior mean last week for content elements. In some embodiments,content elements introduced for the first time and/or content elementsthat were not selected last week would not influence the computation oftemporal decay factor λ. When temporal decay factor λ is dynamically setto a low value (e.g., indicating there is evolution in the environment),the chances of revival of a retired content element can increase, as theposterior distribution becomes more diffuse.

Temporal decay factor λ can be adapted when used in calculatingposterior distributions of content elements to indicate overall trendsin the environment.

However, a smaller group of content elements can follow different trendsfrom a perspective of a global trend. In some embodiments, temporaldecay factor λ can be adapted across different classes of contentelements. By adapting temporal decay factor λ across different classesof content element, different trends in different content elementclasses, such as, seasonal costumes, can be captured. An example caninclude Halloween costumes that can be classified into a content classthat is different from other content classes. Then, once temporal decayfactor λ is adapated for a Halloween costume that is displayed on acontent element (e.g., carousel), which can indicate a change in trend,temporal decay factor λ for other Halloween costume carousels can followthe trend. The correlation computation described above can be modifiedby restricting the content elements (e.g., carousels) from a particularclass of content elements to define the adaptive decay parameter to theparticular class of content elements.

Generating an updated posterior distribution using temporal decay factorthat is adaptive , can be performed as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Posterior}\;\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} = {{{Prior}\left( {\theta(C)} \right)} \times {\prod\limits_{i = 1}^{n{(C)}}\left\lbrack {\left( {\theta(C)} \right)^{m_{i}{(C)}}\left( {1 - {\theta(C)}} \right)^{({1 - {m_{i}{(C)}}})}} \right\rbrack^{\Pi_{k = 1}^{{age}{(t)}}\lambda_{k}}}}},} & (3)\end{matrix}$

where age(i)=j if the i-th impression was shown U+1) weeks ago,0<λ_(k)<1 is the adaptive λ computed using the content performances kweek(s) ago and the content performances before that, such as shown inEquation (2). Note that if age(i)=0, then Π_(k=1) ^(age(i))λ_(k)=1.

In Equation (3), the Beta(α,β) distribution can be used for Prior(θ(C),so that the posterior distribution of θ(C) becomes

${Beta}\left( {{\alpha + {\sum\limits_{i}{\left( {\prod\limits_{k = 1}^{{age}{(i)}}\lambda_{k}} \right){m_{i}(C)}}}},{\beta + {\sum\limits_{i}{\left( {\prod\limits_{k = 1}^{{age}{(i)}}\lambda_{k}} \right)\left( {1 - {m_{i}(C)}} \right)}}}} \right)$

As an example of empirical data and a prior distribution, consider acontent element C₁ introduced on one or more websites three weeks ago onOctober 1st when the posterior distribution is calculated on October22nd. Consider the data tracked for responses (e.g., clicks) toimpressions of content element C₁ as shown in Table 1, and that theprior distribution of responses (e.g., clicks) to impressions of contentelement C1 displayed on the website is Beta(40, 960).

TABLE 1 Weeks Impressions Clicks in response to (dates inclusive) on thewebsite impressions 10/1 to 10/7 1000 50 3 weeks ago 10/8 to 10/14 200090 2 weeks ago 10/15 to 10/21 1500 74 1 week ago

When computing the posterior distribution for content element C₁ onOctober 22nd, temporal decay factor λ can be adapted as follows:

-   -   λ₁=Corr (posterior mean from 10/15, last week mean)=0.3    -   λ₂=Corr (posterior mean from 10/8, empirical mean from the week        10/8 −10/14)=0.7,

where, in the correlation computations, content elements with availableinformation on both scenarios above can be considered. For example, incomputing λ₂, content elements that have been shown in the week10/8-10/14 and also before 10/8 can be used in the correlationcomputation. The posterior distribution of a response (e.g., clicks)probability on C_(i) on 10/22 can be

-   -   Beta(α_(10/22),β_(10/22)),

where

α_(10/22)=40+50×0.3×0.7+90×0.3+74,

β_(10/22)=960+(1000−50)×0.3×0.7+(2000−90)×0.3+(1500−74).

Continuing with the example, if the posterior distribution is updatedweekly, the posterior response probability can be stored on contentelement C₁ on 10/15, shown as

-   -   Beta (α_(10/15),β_(10/15)),

where

α_(10/15)=40+50×0.7+90,

β_(10/15)=960+(1000−50)×0.7+(2000−90).

The posterior distribution of click probability on content C₁ on 10/22will be, using the weekly update:

-   -   Beta (α_(10/22),β_(10/22)),

where

α_(10/22)=α_(10/15)×0.3+74+40×(1−0.3),

β_(10/22)=β_(10/15)×0.3+(1500−74)+960×(1−0.3).

Consider a situation in which content C₁ is not displayed in thefollowing week of 10/22-10/28. Even if no new empirical data has beentracked for content C₁, the posterior distribution for the response(e.g., clicks) probability of C₁ can update on 10/29 as

-   -   Beta (α_(10/29),β_(10/29))

where

α_(10/29)=α_(10/22)×0.4+40×(1−0.4),

β_(10/29)=β_(10/22)×0.4+960×(1−0.4),

where temporal decay factor λ from the week 10/22-10/28 can be assumedto be 0.4.

In many embodiments, block 704 of determining weightings of the contentelements based on posterior distributions using the impression responsedata, as adjusted by a temporal decay factor based on the times of theimpression response data for the content elements can include varioustechniques from block 405 (FIG. 4), and/or block 808 (FIG. 8). Forexample, the weightings can be further determined based on the channelclassification of the first user and the responses of the users in eachof the two channels in the impression response data, as describedfurther in block 405 (FIG. 4). In another example, the weightings forone or more segments can be further determined based at least in part ona mixture distribution based on the impression response data for anearest segment for one of the content elements for a segment in whichthe first user is classified, as described further in block 808 (FIG. 8,described below).

In several embodiments, method 700 further can include a block 705 ofselecting a selected content from among the content elements based onthe weightings of the content items. In a number of embodiments, block705 of selecting a selected content from among the content elements canbe based on the weightings of the content items can include determininga maximum of the weightings of the content elements. In severalembodiments, block 705 of selecting a selected content from among thecontent elements can be based on the weightings of the content items caninclude selecting the selected content element from among the contentelements such that a weighting of the selected content element is themaximum of the weightings of the content elements. For example, for acontent element C, a random sample w(C) from the posterior distributionof the conversion rate of content element C, the selected contentelement can be selected as follows:

-   -   Selected content element=argmax_(C)w(C)

As described above, an extension of this approach can be to choose morethan one content element by choosing the top n content elements from asorted list of w(C) in descending order.

In a number of embodiments, method 700 additionally can include a block706 of generating the webpage to include the selected content element.In many embodiments, the selected content element can be the selectedcontent element selected in block 705. As described above, in manyembodiments, the selected content element can be selected based on theweightings of content elements adjusted by a temporal decay factor andbased on the times of the impression response data for the contentelements. In several embodiments, the selected content element can beselected to resolve the explore-exploit decision by considering by theweightings of the content elements derived from posterior distributionsusing the impression response data representing the past performance ofthe content elements.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 800. In some embodiments method 800 can be a method of automaticresolution of the explore-exploit decision with personalization usingdynamically shared learning. Method 800 is merely exemplary and is notlimited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 800 can be employedin many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted ordescribed herein. In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes,and/or the activities of method 800 can be performed in the orderpresented. In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/orthe activities of method 800 can be performed in any suitable order. Instill other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes,and/or the activities of method 800 can be combined or skipped.

In many embodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3), selection system 305 (FIG. 3),and/or personalization selection system 312 (FIG. 3) can be suitable toperform method 800 and/or one or more of the activities of method 800.In these or other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method800 can be implemented as one or more computing instructions configuredto run at one or more processors and configured to be stored at one ormore non-transitory computer readable media. Such non-transitorycomputer readable media can be part of a computer system such asselection system 305 (FIG. 3), web server 320 (FIG. 3) and/or physicalstores system 325 (FIG. 3). The processor(s) can be similar or identicalto the processor(s) described above with respect to computer system 100(FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, method 800 and other blocks in method 800 caninclude using a distributed network including distributed memoryarchitecture to perform the associated activity. This distributedarchitecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resourcesto reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to beaccessible from a central location.

Referring to FIG. 8, method 800 can include a block 801 of displayingcontent elements on one or more websites to users. The content elementscan be similar or identical to the content elements described above. Inmany embodiments, the content elements can be displayed on one or morewebpages associated with a website. In many embodiments, each of thecontent elements in a pool of content elements can include informationregarding one or more items available on the website. The one or morewebsites can be similar or identical to the website hosted by web server320 (FIG. 3). The users can be similar or identical to users 340-341(FIG. 3).

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block802 of performing a classification of the users into segments. In someembodiments, each of the users can be classified into one or moresegments of the segments. In a number of embodiments, the segments canbe part of a pool of segments. In many embodiments, the classificationcan be based on grouping individual instances (e.g., groups, context, orusers) to form segments. In many embodiments, one or more segments ofthe segments in which the user is classified can be conditioned onsimilar or identical content preferences with each other. In someembodiments, contextual learning to resolve an explore-exploit dilemmaper segment of the segments can involve giving up a certain amount ofspeed in the learning process of contextual learning in order to gainspecific or individual customized content preferences of the users. In adynamic world, a content pool and a pool of segments (e.g., one or moresegments) can provide for faster contextual learning. In manyembodiments, some segments of the pool of segments can have similarcontent preferences. Each of the segments with similar contentpreferences can share learnings with each other to deal with theslowness in contextual learning for customization and/orpersonalization.

In a number of embodiments, method 800 can include a block 803 of,tracking impression response data. In many embodiments, for eachimpression of a content element of content elements being displayed onthe one or more websites to a user of the users, tracking impressionresponse data can comprise (a) a response of the user to the contentelement of the content elements displayed on the one or more websites,and (b) one or more segments of the segments in which the user isclassified. In several embodiments, a response of the user to thecontent element of the content elements displayed on the one or morewebsites can be tracked by for each context in a given time period. Eachtime a content element is displayed to a user can be referred to as an“impression.”

In several embodiments, the impression response data can trackconversion rates of the content elements by the users. In manyembodiments, impression response data can include a conversion rate ofthe content elements by the users. In the same or other embodiments, theimpression response data can include a conversion rate of the contentelements by an item (e.g., an anchor item) of a webpage. In severalembodiments, impression response data can include a conversion rate ofthe content elements by a location (e.g., a state or zip code). In manyembodiments, each response of a user to an impression can be tracked inthe impression response data and can be used for various knowledgesharing opportunities between one segment and another segment, asexplained below in more detail.

In some embodiments, block 803 of, for each impression of a contentelement of the content elements being displayed on the one or morewebsites to a user of the users, tracking impression response datacomprising (a) a response of the user to the content element of thecontent elements displayed on the one or more websites, and (b) one ormore segments in which the user is classified also can include varioustechniques from block 403 (FIG. 4) and block 702 (FIG. 7). For example,in some embodiments, each of the users can be assigned a channelclassification, and/or the impression response data can include for eachimpression of the content element (a) the channel classification for theuser of the users, and (b) responses of the user in each of twochannels, as described in block 403 (FIG. 4). In the same or otherembodiments, the impression data can further comprise (a) a response ofthe user to the content element of the content elements displayed on theone or more web sites and (b) a time of the response of the user, asdescribed further in block 702 (FIG. 7).

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block804 of receiving a request from a first user of the users to display awebpage of the one or more websites. In several embodiments, the firstuser can be classified into one or more first segments of the segments.In many embodiments, the webpage can be one of the webpages on thewebsite that includes one or more content elements. In some embodiments,block 804 of receiving a request from a first user of the users todisplay a webpage of the one or more websites also can include varioustechniques from block 404 (FIG. 4) and block 703 (FIG. 7). For example,the webpage can be a homepage of the website, or another webpage of thewebsite that includes one or more content elements.

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block805 of determining an amount of information in a posterior distributionof each of the one or more first segments for each of the contentelements. In many embodiments, determining an amount of information in aposterior distribution of each of the one or more first segments can bebased on the impression response data. In several embodiments,determining an amount of information in the posterior distribution ofeach of the one or more first segments for each of the content elementscan include generating a standard deviation of the posteriordistribution. In a number of embodiments, determining an amount ofinformation in the posterior distribution of each of the one or morefirst segments for each of the content elements can include generating acoefficient of variation of the posterior distribution. In someembodiments determining an amount of information of each of the one ormore first segments can be useful in determining when a segment does nothave enough information about a content element (e.g., a carousel). In anumber of embodiments, a posterior distribution of an objective (e.g.,conversion rate), for each segment of the segments and each contentelement of the content elements (e.g., each carousel), can be used todetermine an amount of information of each of the one or more firstsegments. In some embodiments, the amount of information in a posteriordistribution can be measured by a standard deviation and/or coefficientof variation (e.g., a standard deviation divided by a mean). The lowerthe standard deviation and/or coefficient of variation is, the more theamount of information collected.

In some embodiments, the standard deviation of a Beta (a,(3)distribution can be computed as

${Std} = {\sqrt{\frac{\alpha\beta}{\left( {\alpha + \beta} \right)^{2}\left( {\alpha + \beta + 1} \right)}}.}$

In some embodiments, the standard deviation of the posteriordistribution can be set to be less than 10⁻² for the segment not toborrow any knowledge from other segments.

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include blocks806 and 807 (described below), which can be performed for each firstsegment of the one or more first segments and each first content elementof the content elements in which the amount of information for the firstsegment for the first content element is below a predeterminedinformational threshold, such as at least 0.3 or 0.4. In someembodiments, method 800 can include block 806 of determining a nearestsegment to the first segment for the first content element. In severalembodiments, determining the nearest segment to the first segment forthe first content element can include determining second segments of thesegments in which an amount of information in a posterior distributionof each of the second segments is equal to or greater than thepredetermined informational threshold. In a number of embodiments,determining the nearest segment to the first segment for the firstcontent element can include computing, for each second segment of thesecond segments, a correlation between a posterior means of commoncontent elements in the first segment and the second segment. In severalembodiments, determining the nearest segment to the first segment forthe first content element can include selecting the nearest segment fromamong the second segments based on a maximum of the correlations for thesecond segments. In a number of embodiments, determining the nearestsegment to the first segment for the first content element can includethe common content elements in the first segment and the second segmentcan be restricted to content elements that belong to an identicalcontent element class. In many embodiments, determining a nearestsegment to the first segment for the first content element can alsoinclude determining which segment S_(nearest)(S,C) from which to borrowinformation. The segment S_(nearest)(S,C) can be the segment which ismost similar to segment S in terms of similar content preferences. Insome embodiments, there can be no nearest segment S_(nearest)(S,C) thatexists between the first segment and the one or more first segments. Inseveral embodiments, while finding S_(nearest)(S,C) for segment S andcarousel C, search for a segment of the segments with contentpreferences most similar to S with reliable and/or accurate informationon the performance of C. In some embodiments, the search can berestricted to some content class that C belongs to. For example,S_(nearest)(S,C) can be found as follows: For each segment T such thatPosterior(T,C) meets the predetermined informational threshold, computethe correlation in posterior means of common contents and/or carouselsin S and T, restricted to those content elements (e.g., carousels)belonging to the same content class as C, where each content element(e.g., carousel) participating in the correlation computation has aposterior distribution that at least meets predetermined informationthreshold for both S and T. S_(nearest)(S,C) is the segment T with thehighest correlation, given the correlation is above a preset threshold.Therefore, S_(nearest)(S,C) can be the segment with content preferencesmost similar to S in the content class that C belongs to, which has somereliable information on the performance of C.

In many embodiments, determining a nearest segment to the first segmentfor the first content element from which to borrow information can bethe segment most similar to segment S in terms of content preferences.Identifying the nearest segment using, S_(nearest)(S,C) can involve, foreach segment T such that Posterior(T,C) meets the amount of apredetermined informational threshold, computing a correlation inposterior means of common content elements (e.g., common carousels) in Sand T, where each content element (e.g., carousel) participating in thecorrelation computation can at least meet the posterior informationamount required by the predetermined informational threshold for both Sand T. S can represent a segment in terms of content preferences and Cis a content. In some embodiments, S_(nearest)(S,C) can be the segment Twith the highest correlation, given the correlation is above thepredetermined informational threshold. Based on this derivation,S_(nearest)(S,C) can advantageously be the segment with contentpreferences most similar to S that has some reliable and/or accurateinformation on the performance of C. In some embodiments, computing thecorrelation can involve at least 2 data points, in absence of which thecorrelation will be undefined leading to a conclusion that noS_(nearest)(S,C) exists.

In several embodiments, while finding S_(nearest)(S,C) for segment S andcarousel C, search for a segment of the segments with contentpreferences most similar to S with reliable and/or accurate informationon the performance of C. In some embodiments, the search can berestricted to some content class that C belongs to. For example,S_(nearest)(S,C) can be found as follows: For each segment T such thatPosterior(T,C) meets the predetermined informational threshold, computethe correlation in posterior means of common contents and/or carouselsin S and T, restricted to those content elements (e.g., carousels)belonging to the same content class as C, where each content element(e.g., carousel) participating in the correlation computation has aposterior distribution that at least meets predetermined informationthreshold for both S and T. S_(nearest)(S,C) is the segment T with thehighest correlation, given the correlation is above a preset threshold.Therefore, S_(nearest)(S,C) can be the segment with content preferencesmost similar to S in the content class that C belongs to, which has somereliable information on the performance of C.

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block807 of generating a mixture distribution based on the impressionresponse data for the first segment and the nearest segment for thefirst content element. In many embodiments, generating a mixturedistribution can be for the first segment for the first content elementbased on the impression response data for the first segment for thefirst content element. In several embodiments, generating a mixturedistribution can be for the first segment for the first content elementbased on the impression response data for the nearest segment for thefirst content element. The mixture distribution can be used to shareinformation from the nearest segment with the first segment. Forexample, if the amount of information for a content C, representing asegment, is lower than the predetermined informational threshold, amixture distribution can be used to generate a sample (e.g., w(S,C)).

In many embodiments, the mixture distribution can be used for samplingthe weights in block 808 (described below) can be as follows:

q(S,C)Posterior(S,C)+(1−q(S,C))Posterior(S_(nearest)(S,C),C),

meaning with probability 0<q(S,C)≤1, the sample can be generated using

Posterior(S,C), and with probability (1−q(S,C)), the sample can begenerated using Posterior(S_(nearest)(S,C),C).

In several embodiments, knowledge sharing can occur when (a) arelatively new content element (e.g., carousel) and/or a first contentelement does not have much information, such as an amount of informationthat is below the predetermined informational threshold and/or (b)another segment exists with similar content preferences that hasinformation above the predetermined informational threshold. Knowledgesharing can occur per content element (e.g., carousel). For example, asegment, S₁ can borrow a portion or more of knowledge of content A, fromanother segment, segment S₂. However, for content B, S₁ has enough ofcontent B, therefore depends on its own knowledge without usingknowledge from segment S₂ for content B. Responsive to identifying thata nearest segment (e.g., segment S_(nearest)(S,C)) exists for anothersegment (e.g., the first segment), and determining that a knowledgesharing opportunity exists for the first segment and the second segment,information with similar content preferences can be shared from thenearest segment to the first segment.

In some embodiments, the mixture distributions can determine how muchinformation to borrow from a first segment with another segment (e.g.,second segment). In general, the parameter q(S,C) in the mixturedistribution in (1) dictates how much information to borrow fromS_(nearest)(S,C). In several embodiments, an amount of information fromthe impression response data for the nearest segment for the firstcontent element that can be used in the mixture distribution for thefirst segment for the first content element can be adapted based on aninformation parameter in the mixture distribution for the first segmentfor the first content element. In many embodiments, the informationparameter, such as q, in the mixture distribution for the first segmentfor the first content element can be based on a variance of a posteriordistribution of the first segment for the first content element.

In several embodiments, the parameter q can be defined as:

${q\left( {S,C} \right)} = \left\{ \begin{matrix}{1,\ {{if}\mspace{20mu}{\nexists{S_{nearest}\left( {S,C} \right)}}},\ {otherwise}} \\\frac{{Maximum}\mspace{14mu}{V\left( {{Posterior}\left( {S,C} \right)} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{allowed}\mspace{14mu}{to}\mspace{14mu}{meet}\mspace{14mu}{the}\mspace{14mu}{threshold}}{V\left( {{Posterior}\left( {S,C} \right)} \right)}\end{matrix} \right.$

where V (Posterior(S,C)) denotes the variance of the Posterior(S,C), andthe present threshold is the predetermined informational thresholddescribed above. An inverse relationship can be noted, as the amount ofinformation increases, the posterior distribution variance decreases.

In many embodiments, the mixture distribution can be used when theamount of information in the posterior distribution is below a presetthreshold, and the current variance of Posterior(S,C) is higher than thepreset threshold. The parameter q can satisfy q(S,C)≤1, in order for thedefinition of the mixture distribution to be valid.

In conventional shared learning approaches, the information can includean entire set of features for each user that assumes a linearrelationship between a reward function (e.g., a conversion rate for acarousel viewed as a function of user and/or context features) with thefeatures. By using an entire set of features, such a large number offeatures used to describe a user and/or context can pose large scalingchallenges. Some large scaling challenges can include information thatno longer can assume a linear relationship between the reward functionand the features required for conventional shared learning approaches.By aggregating users (e.g., contexts) into segments, the reward functioncan assume a linear relationship by reducing the large scalingchallenges thereby allowing scaling of the information.

In many embodiments, the sharing techniques described herein can providean improvement over the conventional shared learning approaches used forsharing learning across users and/or contexts, which can work even whenthe reward function and/or the features for the contexts form anon-linear relationship. In several embodiments, the sharing techniquesdescribed herein can provide an improvement over the conventional sharedlearning approaches by adapting the Thompson sampling approach to sharelearning between different segments to resolve the explore-exploitdilemma with dynamically shared learnings. By this approach, the sharedlearning can continue until enough information about a content element(e.g., carousel) for a segment is reached and/or when an amount ofinformation meets or exceeds the predetermined informational threshold.In many embodiments, after receiving enough information about a contentelement and/or the an amount of information that meets or exceeds thepredetermined informational threshold, the sharing techniques is nolonger used for that content element, as more specific information isavailable for that content element. In some embodiments, knowledgesharing can be specific to a content element (e.g., carousel). Forexample, a first segment could use knowledge from another segment for afirst content element (e.g., a first carousel), and rely its owninformation (without shared knowledge) for a second content element(e.g., a second carousel).

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block808 of determining weightings of the content elements for the one ormore first segments, based at least in part on the mixture distribution.In many embodiments, the weighting of the content elements can bedetermined by generating a random sample from the posteriordistributions for each content element of the content elements, usingthe impression response data for the content elements, and using themixture distributions for content elements in cases when the sharing hasoccurred.

In many embodiments, the weightings can be further determined based onthe channel classification of the first user and the responses of theusers in each of the two channels in the impression response data, asdescribed further in block 405 (FIG. 4). In the same or otherembodiments, the weightings for one or more segments can be furtherdetermined based at least in part on the impression response data beingadjusted by a temporal decay factor, as described further in block 704(FIG. 7).

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block809 of selecting a selected content element. In many embodiments,selecting a selected content element can be from among the contentelements based on the weightings of the content elements for the one ormore first segments. Thompson sampling can be based on a user belongingto one or more segments (e.g., groups, contexts, and/or users) toseparately run explore-exploit. In several embodiments, block 809 ofselecting a selected content from among the content elements based onthe weightings of the content elements for the one or more firstsegments can include selecting the selected content element from amongthe content elements, such that weighting of the selected contentelement is the maximum of the weightings, of the content elements. Forexample, each time an explore-exploit dilemma exists for a user and/orcontext belonging to a segment S, for each carousel C, a random samplew(S,C) can be generated from the posterior distribution of conversionrate of carousel C for the segment S, then the selected content elementcan be selected as follows:

-   -   Selected content element=argmax_(C)w(S,C)

An described above, an extension of this approach can be to choose morethan one content element by choosing the top n content elements from asorted list of w(C) in descending order.

In several embodiments, when the segments are overlapping, (e.g., a userand/or context can belong to multiple segments), Thompson sampling canbe adapted as follows:

${{Selected}\mspace{14mu}{content}\mspace{14mu}{element}} = {\arg\;\max\; c\;\underset{\{{S_{i}:{{{user}/{context}} \in S_{i}}}\}}{\max\;}{{w\left( {S_{i},C} \right)}.}}$

As an example, suppose there are three customer segments: S₁, S₂ and S₃,andthere are three contents: C₁, C₂ and C₃. Assume all the contents wereintroduced last week. Suppose, for segment S₁ and content C₁, the priorclick probability distribution is given by Beta(2, 8). Next, assumethere were ten impressions of C₁ shown to users belonging to segment S₁and out of those impressions, one impression of the ten impressionsreceived a response (e.g., a click). Therefore, the posteriordistribution for the response (e.g., click) probability P_((S) ₁ _(C) ₁₎, for (S₁,C₁) is given by:

-   -   Beta(2+1, 8+(10−1))=Beta (3, 17).

Similarly, posterior distributions for response (e.g., click)probability of (segment, content) pairs can be computed.

After the computation, the following response (e.g., click) probabilityposterior distributions for the (segment, content) pairs are as follows:

-   -   P_((S) ₁ _(C) ₁ ₎˜Beta (3, 17), P_((S) ₁ _(C) ₁ ₎˜Beta (500,        1500),    -   P_((S) ₁ _(C) ₃ ₎˜Beta (202, 1798), P_((S) ₂ _(C) ₁ ₎˜Beta (400,        1600),    -   P_((S) ₂ _(C) ₂ ₎˜Beta (200, 1800), P_((S) ₂ _(C) ₃ ₎˜Beta (500,        1500),    -   P_((S) ₃ _(C) ₁ ₎˜Beta (300, 1700), P_((S) ₃ _(C) ₂ ₎˜Beta (502,        1498),    -   P_((S) ₃ _(C) ₃ ₎˜Beta (200, 1800)

where P_((S,C)) denotes the click probability of segment S and contentC.

The standard deviation of the posterior distribution can be set to beless than 10⁻² for the segment not to borrow any knowledge from othersegments.

The standard deviation of a Beta (α, β) distribution can be computed as

${Std} = \sqrt{\frac{\alpha\beta}{\left( {\alpha + \beta} \right)^{2}\left( {\alpha + \beta + 1} \right)}.}$

With the threshold set as 10⁻², S₁ does not have enough information forcontent C₁. So, S₁ can borrow information about C₁.

In many embodiments, S₁ does not borrow information on contents C₂ andC₃ and instead relies on its own information. Next, S_(nearest)(S₁, C₁)can be found in order to determine which segment S₁ can borrow knowledge(e.g., information) from.

In order to find S_(nearest)(S₁, C₁), first note than both S₂ and S₃have enough information on C₁ (the standard deviation of P_((S) ₂ _(,C)₁ ₎ and P_((S) ₃ _(,C) ₁ ₎ is less than 10 ⁻²).

Between S₁ and S₂, and contents C₂ and C₃, both segments S₁ and S₂ haveenough information. The same is true between S₁ and S₃.

The mean of a Beta (α, β) distribution is given by:

$E = {\frac{\alpha}{\alpha + \beta}.}$

Therefore, the posterior means for the pairs are:

-   -   E_((S) ₁ _(C) ₂ ₎=0.250, E_((S) ₁ _(C) ₃ ₎=0.101,    -   E_((S) ₂ _(C) ₂ ₎=0.100, E_((S) ₂ _(C) ₃ ₎=0.250,    -   E_((S) ₃ _(C) ₂ ₎=0.251, E_((S) ₃ _(C) ₃ ₎=0.100.

Therefore, the correlation in posterior means of segments S₁ and S₂ is:

$\mspace{20mu}{{{{Corr}\left( {S_{1},S_{2}} \right)} = \frac{{Cov}\left( {S_{1},S_{2}} \right)}{\sqrt{{Var}_{S_{1}} \times {Var}_{S_{2}}}}},{{{Cov}\left( {S_{1},S_{2}} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{2}\left( {{E_{({S_{1},C_{2}})} \times E_{({S_{2},C_{2}})}} + {E_{({S_{1},C_{3}})} \times E_{({S_{2},C_{3}})}}} \right)} - {E_{S_{1}} \times E_{S_{2}}}}},\mspace{20mu}{E_{S_{1}} = {{\frac{1}{2}\left( {E_{({S_{1},C_{2}})} + E_{({S_{1},C_{3}})}} \right)} = {{0.1}755}}},\mspace{20mu}{E_{S_{1}} = {{\frac{1}{2}\left( {E_{({S_{2},C_{2}})} + E_{({S_{2},C_{3}})}} \right)} = {{0.1}750}}},\mspace{20mu}{{Var}_{S_{1}} = {{{\frac{1}{2}\left( {\left( E_{({S_{1},C_{2}})} \right)^{2} + \left( E_{({S_{1},C_{3}})} \right)^{2}} \right)} - \left( E_{S_{1}} \right)^{2}} = {{0.0}05550}}},\mspace{20mu}{{Var}_{S_{2}} = {{{\frac{1}{2}\left( {\left( E_{({S_{2},C_{2}})} \right)^{2} + \left( E_{({S_{2},C_{3}})} \right)^{2}} \right)} - \left( E_{S_{2}} \right)^{2}} = {{0.0}05625}}},}$

Therefore, Corr(S₁,S₂)=−1.

Similarly, Corr(S₁,S₃)=1.

Therefore, S_(nearest)(S₁,C₁)=S₃.

Because S_(nearest)(S₁,C₁)=S₃ exists, q(S₁,C₁) can be computed asfollows:

${q\left( {S_{1},C_{1}} \right)} = \frac{10^{- 4}}{{Var}\left( P_{({S_{1},C_{1}})} \right)}$

The variance of a Beta(α,β) distribution can be computed as follows:

${Std} = {\frac{\alpha\beta}{\left( {\alpha + \beta} \right)^{2}\left( {\alpha + \beta + 1} \right)}.}$

Therefore,

${{var}\left( P_{({S_{1},C_{1}})} \right)} = {\frac{3 \times 17}{\left( {3 + {17}} \right)^{2}\left( {3 + {17} + 1} \right)} = {{0.0}06{1.}}}$

So,

-   -   q(S_(i), C₁)=1/61.

Finally, combining it all together, for generating a sample from clickprobability P_((S) ₁ _(,C) ₁ ₎ of (segment, content) pair (S₁,C₁), (1)with probability 1/61, a sample can be generated using the posteriordistribution of P_((S) ₁ _(,C) ₁ ₎, and (2) with probability 60/61, asample can be generated using the posterior distribution of P_((S) ₃_(,C) ₁ ₎. For the other (segment, content) pairs, samples can begenerated using their own posterior distribution (as they meet thepredetermined informational threshold).

Once the samples are generated, the Thompson sampling follows as usual,that is:

-   -   Chosen content=argmax_(C) w(S,C),

where w(S,C) is the sample for the segment S and content C.

In a number of embodiments, method 800 additionally can include a block810 of generating the webpage to comprise the selected content element.In many embodiments, the selected content element can be the selectedcontent element selected in block 809. In several embodiments, theselected content element can be selected to resolve the explore-exploitdecision by considering by the weightings of the content elementsderived from posterior distributions using the impression response datarepresenting the past performance of the content elements, and byincluding mixture distributions for sharing information for contentelements in segments in which the amount of information does not meetthe predetermined informational threshold.

Turning back in the drawings, FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram ofsystem 300, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Omnichannelcontent selection system 310, revival selection system 311,personalization selection system 312, web server 320, and/or physicalstores system 325 are merely exemplary and are not limited to theembodiments presented herein. Omnichannel content selection system 310,revival selection system 311, personalization selection system 312, webserver 320, and/or physical stores system 325 can be employed in manydifferent embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or describedherein. In some embodiments, certain elements or systems of omnichannelcontent selection system 310, revival selection system 311,personalization selection system 312, web server 320, and/or physicalstores system 325 can perform various procedures, processes, and/oracts. In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts canbe performed by other suitable elements or systems. In many embodiments,the systems of omnichannel content selection system 310, revivalselection system 311, personalization selection system 312, web server320, and/or physical stores system 325 can be modules of computinginstructions (e.g., software modules) stored at non-transitory computerreadable media. In other embodiments, the systems of omnichannel contentselection system 310, revival selection system 311, personalizationselection system 312, web server 320, and/or physical stores system 325can be implemented in hardware.

In many embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310 caninclude a channel usage system 611. In certain embodiments, channelusage system 611 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG. 4) oftracking usage data for users using a first channel and a secondchannel. In many embodiments, channel usage system 611 can collectand/or perform linkages on information obtained from online activitytracking system 621 of web server 320 and in-store purchase trackingsystem 631 of physical stores system 325, as described below.

In a number of embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310 caninclude a user classification system 612. In certain embodiments, userclassification system 612 can at least partially perform block 402 (FIG.4) of performing a classification of first users of the users into afirst group and second users of the users into a second group.

In many of embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310 caninclude a content tracking system 613. In certain embodiments, contenttracking system 613 can at least partially perform block 403 (FIG. 4)of, for each impression of a content element of content elements beingdisplayed on a website to a user of the users, tracking impressionresponse data including (a) whether the user is grouped into the firstgroup or the second group, and (b) response data including: (i) a firstresponse by the user to the content element in the first channel, and(ii) a second response by the user to the content element in the secondchannel.

In a number of embodiments, omnichannel content selection system 310 caninclude a content selection system 614. In certain embodiments, contentselection system 614 can at least partially perform block 405 (FIG. 4)of generating the webpage to include a selected content element fromamong the content elements, block 501 (FIG. 5) of generating a firstrandom sample from a posterior distribution for a first channelconversion being performed for the each content element by users in theclassification of the first user, based on the impression response datafor the each content element, block 502 (FIG. 5) of generating a secondrandom sample from a posterior distribution for a second channelconversion being performed for the each content element by users in theclassification of the first user, based on the impression response datafor the each content element, block 503 (FIG. 5) of determining aweighting for the each content element based on a maximum of the firstrandom sample and the second random sample, and/or block 504 (FIG. 5) ofselecting the selected content element from among the content elementssuch that the weighting of the selected content element is a maximum ofthe weightings of the content elements.

In a number of embodiments, web server 320 can include an onlineactivity tracking system 621. In certain embodiments, online activitytracking system 621 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG. 4) oftracking usage data for users using a first channel and a secondchannel, such as by tracking the usage data of the users on the websitehosted by web server 320.

In many embodiments, web server 320 can include a webpage system 622. Incertain embodiments, webpage system 622 can at least partially performblock 404 (FIG. 4) of receiving a request from a first user of the usersto display a webpage of the website, and/or block 405 (FIG. 4) ofgenerating the webpage to include a selected content element from amongthe content elements.

In many embodiments, physical stores system 325 can include an in-storepurchase tracking system 631. In certain embodiments, in-store purchasetracking system 631 can at least partially perform block 401 (FIG. 4) oftracking usage data for users using a first channel and a secondchannel, such as by tracking the usage data of the users in the physicalstores.

In several embodiments, revival selection system 311 can include adisplay system 641. In certain embodiments, display system 641 can atleast partially perform block 701 (FIG. 7) of displaying contentelements on one or more websites to users.

In many embodiments, revival selection system 311 can include a contenttracking system 642. In certain embodiments, content tracking system 642can at least partially perform block 702 (FIG. 7) of, for eachimpression of a content element of the content elements being displayedon the one or more websites to a user of the users, tracking impressionresponse data comprising (a) a response of the user to the contentelement of the content elements displayed on the one or more websitesand (b) a time of the response of the user. In many embodiments, contenttracking system 642 can collect and/or track impression (e.g., response)data of content of users, such as, by tracking online activity trackingsystem 621 of webserver 320 and webpage system 622 of webserver 320.

In many embodiments, revival selection system 311 can include acommunication system 643. In certain embodiments, communication system643 can at least partially perform block 703 (FIG. 7) of receiving arequest from a first user of the users to display a webpage of the oneor more websites.

In many embodiments, revival selection system 311 can include a contentselection system 644. In certain embodiments, content selection system644 can at least partially perform block 704 (FIG. 7) of determiningweightings of the content elements based on posterior distributionsusing the impression response data, as adjusted by a temporal decayfactor based on the times of the impression response data, block 705(FIG. 7) of selecting a selected content element from among the contentelements based on the weightings of the content elements, and/or block706 (FIG. 7) of generating the webpage to comprise the selected contentelement.

In many embodiments, personalization selection system 312 can include adisplay system 651. In several embodiments, display system 651 can atleast partially perform block 801 (FIG. 8) of displaying contentelements on one or more websites to users.

In many embodiments, personalization selection system 312 can include auser classification system 652. In many embodiments, user classificationsystem 652 can at least partially perform block 802 (FIG. 8) ofperforming a classification of the users into segments. In manyembodiments, user classification system 652 can classify the users basedon information obtained from online activity tracking system 621 ofwebserver 320 and webpage system 622 of webserver 320.

In a number of embodiments, personalization selection system 312 caninclude a content tracking system 653. In several embodiments, contenttracking system 653 can at least partially perform block 803 (FIG. 8)of, for each impression of a content element of the content elementsbeing displayed on the one or more websites to a user of the users,tracking impression response data comprising (a) a response of the userto the content element of the content elements displayed on one or morewebsites, and (b) one or more segments of the segments in which the useris classified.

In several embodiments, personalization selection system 312 can includea communication system 654. In a number for embodiments, communicationsystem 654 can at least partially perform block 804 (FIG. 8) ofreceiving a request from a first user of the users to display a webpageof the one or more web sites, the first user being classified into oneor more first segments.

In many embodiments, personalization selection system 312 can include acontent sharing system 655. In certain embodiments, content sharingsystem 655 can at least partially perform block 805 (FIG. 8) ofdetermining an amount of information in a posterior distribution of eachof the one or more first segments for each of the content elements basedon the impression response data, block 806 (FIG. 8) of determining anearest segment to the first segment for the first content element,and/or block 807 (FIG. 8) of generating a mixture distribution for thefirst segment for the first content element based on the impressionresponse data for the first segment for the first content element andthe impression response data for the nearest segment for the firstcontent element.

In several embodiments, personalization selection system 312 can includea content selection system 656. In certain embodiments, contentselection system 656 can at least partially perform block 808 (FIG. 8)of determining weightings of the content elements for the one or morefirst segments, based at least in part on the mixture distributions,block 809 (FIG. 8) of selecting a selected content element from amongthe content elements based on the weightings of the content elements forthe one or more first segments, and/or block 810 (FIG. 8) of generatingthe webpage to comprise the selected content element.

In many embodiments, the techniques described herein can provide severaltechnological improvements. Specifically, the techniques describedherein provide for automatically selecting content elements to resolvethe explore-exploit decision in the context of the users and in view ofan omnichannel setting. As described above, previous approaches thatattempt to select content elements in view of the explore-exploitdilemma do not take into account the fact that different channels havedifferent results, which leads to selections that are not as relevant tothe users and are not as robust at exploiting effective content elementsacross the different channels. The techniques described herein thusprovide an improvement in computer functionality beyond conventionalapproaches.

Moreover, the techniques described herein can run continuously tocustomize the selection of the content elements in view of theexplore-exploit decision and to update the data used based on theimpression results through each channel of the content elementsdisplayed. In many embodiments, running these techniques continuouslycan provide, in real-time, content elements that are currently relevantto users, including new content elements. Moreover, the effectivenessand/or relevance of new content elements can be explored whileexploiting content elements known to be effective/relevant to the usersin a given context.

In many embodiments, the techniques described herein can be usedcontinuously at a scale that cannot be handled using manual techniques.For example, the number of monthly visits to the website can exceed onehundred million, the number of registered users to the website canexceed ten million, and/or the number of content elements available forselection at any given time can exceed ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, oreven a thousand.

In a number of embodiments, the techniques described herein can solve atechnical problem that arises only within the realm of computernetworks, as the distinction between the offline and online channelsdoes not exist outside the realm of computer networks. Moreover, thetechniques described herein can solve a technical problem that cannot besolved outside the context of computer networks. Specifically, theomnichannel context selection techniques described herein cannot be usedoutside the context of computer networks, in view of a lack of data, andbecause the online channel that is part of the techniques describedherein would not exist.

In several embodiments, the techniques described herein to resolve theexplore-exploit decision in omnichannel settings can advantageously beapplied and/or customized in various applications. For example, thetechniques described herein can be applied for driving store conversionand/or other store metrics in addition to online conversion, or drivingother metrics, through a principled automated technique that resolvestogether the explore-exploit dilemma and the dilemma about which metricto optimize at each opportunity. As another example, the techniquesdescribed herein can incorporate omnichannel considerations in makingrecommendations on webpages, adapting with the changing preferences ofthe users, whether it be online or in store, and seamlessly changingwith the changing preferences of the users.

In many embodiments, the techniques described herein provide forautomatically selecting content elements to resolve the explore-exploitdecision in the context of the content preferences of users evolvingover time to provide for revival. As described above, previousapproaches that attempt to select content elements in view of theexplore-exploit dilemma do not take into account the fact that a staticenvironment and a dynamic environment have different results, whichleads to selections that are not as relevant to the users and are not asrobust at exploiting effective content elements across the differentenvironments. The techniques described herein thus provide animprovement in computer functionality beyond conventional approaches.

Moreover, the techniques described herein can run continuously tocustomize the selection of the content elements in a dynamic environmentin view of the explore-exploit decision and to update the data usedbased on the impression results and a decay parameter of the contentelements displayed, to revive content elements that otherwise would havebeen effectively retired. In many embodiments, running these techniquescontinuously can provide, in real-time, content elements that arecurrently relevant to users, including revived content elements thathave been effectively retired. Moreover, the effectiveness and/orrelevance of new and/or effectively retired content elements can beexplored while exploiting content elements known to beeffective/relevant to the users in a given context.

In a number of embodiments, the techniques described herein can solve atechnical problem that arises only within the realm of computernetworks, as the distinction between the static environments and dynamicenvironments in online selection of content elements does not existoutside the realm of computer networks. Moreover, the techniquesdescribed herein to resolve the explore-exploit decision with revivalcan solve a technical problem that cannot be solved outside the contextof computer networks. Specifically, the revival selection systemtechniques described herein cannot be used outside the context ofcomputer networks, because reviving content in an evolving (e.g.,dynamic) environment for an online selection of content elements wouldnot exist.

In several embodiments, the techniques described herein to resolve theexplore-exploit decision with revival can advantageously be appliedand/or customized in various applications. As an example, the techniquesdescribed herein can incorporate revival of content considerations inmaking recommendations on webpages, adapting with the changingpreferences of the users, and seamlessly changing with the changingpreferences of the users.

In many embodiments, the techniques described herein provide forautomatically selecting content elements to resolve the explore-exploitdecision with personalization using dynamically shared learnings. Asdescribed above, previous approaches that attempt to select contentelements in view of the explore-exploit dilemma, such as the fastcontextual learning process and the customized contextual learningprocess described above, lead to selections that are not as relevant tothe users and are not as robust at exploiting effective content elementsacross the different contextual learning processes. The techniquesdescribed herein thus provide an improvement in computer functionalitybeyond conventional approaches.

Moreover, the techniques described herein can run continuously tocustomize the selection of the content elements in a dynamic environmentin view of the explore-exploit decision and to update the data usedbased on the impression results and knowledge sharing opportunities ofthe content elements displayed. In many embodiments, running thesetechniques continuously can provide, in real-time, content elements thatare currently relevant to users, based on shared information. Moreover,the effectiveness and/or relevance of new content elements can beexplored using shared information while exploiting content elementsknown to be effective/relevant to the users in a given context.

In a number of embodiments, the techniques described herein can solve atechnical problem that arises only within the realm of computernetworks, as the online impression data used in the information sharingdoes not existing outside the realm of computer networks. Moreover, thetechniques described herein for personalization using dynamically sharedlearnings can solve a technical problem that cannot be solved outsidethe context of computer networks. Specifically, the personalizationselection system techniques described herein cannot be used outside thecontext of computer networks, in view of a lack of data, and applyingknowledge sharing opportunities for context that is part of thetechniques described herein would not exist.

In several embodiments, the techniques described herein to resolve theexplore-exploit decision with personalization using dynamically sharedlearnings can advantageously be applied and/or customized in variousapplications. As an example, the techniques described herein canincorporate knowledge sharing opportunities for content considerationsin making recommendations on webpages, adapting with the changingpreferences of the users, and seamlessly changing with the changingpreferences of the users.

Various embodiments can include a system including one or moreprocessors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediastoring computing instructions configured to run on the one moreprocessors and perform certain acts. The acts can include tracking usagedata for users using a first channel and a second channel. The acts alsocan include performing a classification of first users of the users intoa first group and second users of the users into a second group. Theclassification can be based on the usage data. The acts additionally caninclude, for each impression of a content element of content elementsbeing displayed on a website to a user of the users, tracking impressionresponse data including (a) whether the user is grouped into the firstgroup or the second group, and (b) response data including: (i) a firstresponse by the user to the content element in the first channel, and(ii) a second response by the user to the content element in the secondchannel. The acts further can include receiving a request from a firstuser of the users to display a webpage of the web site. The actsadditionally can include generating the webpage to include a selectedcontent element from among the content elements. The selected contentelement can be selected based on the classification of the first userand the impression response data for the content elements.

A number of embodiments can include a method being implemented viaexecution of computing instructions configured to run at one or moreprocessors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia. The method can include tracking usage data for users using afirst channel and a second channel. The method also can includeperforming a classification of first users of the users into a firstgroup and second users of the users into a second group. Theclassification can be based on the usage data. The method additionallycan include, for each impression of a content element of contentelements being displayed on a website to a user of the users, trackingimpression response data including (a) whether the user is grouped intothe first group or the second group, and (b) response data including:(i) a first response by the user to the content element in the firstchannel, and (ii) a second response by the user to the content elementin the second channel. The method further can include receiving arequest from a first user of the users to display a webpage of thewebsite. The method additionally can include generating the webpage toinclude a selected content element from among the content elements. Theselected content element can be selected based on the classification ofthe first user and the impression response data for the contentelements.

Several embodiments can include a system including one or moreprocessors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediastoring computing instructions configured to run on the one moreprocessors and perform certain acts. The acts can include displayingcontent elements on one or more websites to users. The acts can alsoinclude for each impression of a content element of the content elementsbeing displayed on the one or more websites to a user of the users.Tracking impression response data can include (a) a response of the userto the content element of the content elements displayed on the one ormore websites and (b) a time of the response of the user. The acts canfurther include receiving a request from a first user of the users todisplay a webpage of the one or more websites. Displaying a webpage caninclude determining weightings of the content elements based onposterior distributions using the impression response data. Theimpression response data can be adjusted by a temporal decay factorbased on the times of the impression response data. The acts can includeselecting a selected content element from among the content elementsbased on the weightings of the content elements. Selecting the selectedcontent can include generating a webpage to include the selected contentelement.

Many embodiments can include a method being implemented via execution ofcomputing instructions configured to run at one or more processors andstored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. The methodcan include displaying content elements on one or more websites tousers. For each impression of a content element of the content elementsbeing displayed on the one or more web sites to a user of the users, themethod can include tracking impression response data. The impressionresponse data can include (a) a response of the user to the contentelement of the content elements displayed on the one or more websitesand (b) a time of the response of the user. The method can includereceiving a request from a first user of the users to display a webpageof the one or more web sites. Displaying a webpage can includedetermining weightings of the content elements based on posteriordistributions using the impression response data. The impressionresponse data can be adjusted by a temporal decay factor based on thetimes of the impression response data. The method can include selectinga selected content element from among the content elements based on theweightings of the content elements. The method can include generatingthe webpage to comprise the selected content element.

Various embodiments can include a system including one or moreprocessors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediastoring computing instructions configured to run on the one moreprocessors and perform certain acts. The acts can include displayingcontent elements on one or more websites to users. The acts can furtherinclude performing a classification of the users into segments, each ofthe users being classified into one or more segments of the segments.For each impression of a content element of the content elements beingdisplayed on the one or more web sites to a user of the users, the actscan include tracking impression response data comprising (a) a responseof the user to the content element of the content elements displayed onthe one or more websites, and (b) one or more segments of the segmentsin which the user is classified. The acts can include receiving arequest from a first user of the users to display a webpage of the oneor more websites. The first user can be classified into one or morefirst segments of the segments. The acts can further include determiningan amount of information in a posterior distribution of each of the oneor more first segments for each of the content elements based on theimpression response data. For each first segment of the one or morefirst segments and each first content element of the content elements inwhich the amount of information for the first segment for the firstcontent element can be below a predetermined informational threshold.The acts can perform determining a nearest segment to the first segmentfor the first content element. The acts can perform generating a mixturedistribution for the first segment for the first content element basedon the impression response data for the first segment for the firstcontent element and the impression response data for the nearest segmentfor the first content element. The acts can additionally performdetermining weightings of the content elements for the one or more firstsegments, based at least in part on the mixture distributions. The actscan perform selecting a selected content element from among the contentelements based on the weightings of the content elements for the one ormore first segments. Based on the weightings of the content elements forthe one or more first segments, the acts can perform generating thewebpage to comprise the selected content element.

In a number of embodiments can include a method being implemented viaexecution of computing instructions configured to run at one or moreprocessors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia. The method can include displaying content elements on one or morewebsites to users. The method can include performing a classification ofthe users into segments, each of the users being classified into one ormore segments of the segments. For each impression of a content elementof the content elements being displayed on the one or more websites to auser of the users, the method can be tracking impression response datacomprising (a) a response of the user to the content element of thecontent elements displayed on the one or more websites, and (b) one ormore segments of the segments in which the user is classified. Themethod can be receiving a request from a first user of the users todisplay a webpage of the one or more websites, the first user beingclassified into one or more first segments of the segments. The methodcan further be determining an amount of information in a posteriordistribution of each of the one or more first segments for each of thecontent elements based on the impression response data. For each firstsegment of the one or more first segments and each first content elementof the content elements in which the amount of information for the firstsegment for the first content element is below a predeterminedinformational threshold, the method can be determining a nearest segmentto the first segment for the first content element. Additionally, themethod can be generating a mixture distribution for the first segmentfor the first content element based on the impression response data forthe first segment for the first content element. The method can also bebased on the impression response data for the nearest segment for thefirst content element. The method can be determining weightings of thecontent elements for the one or more first segments, based at least inpart on the mixture distributions. The method can be selecting aselected content element from among the content elements based on theweightings of the content elements for the one or more first segments.Further, the method can be generating the webpage to comprise theselected content element.

Various systems can include one or more processors and one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructionsconfigured to run on the one or more processors and perform certainacts. The acts can include displaying content elements on one or morewebsites to users. The acts also can include tracking respectiveimpression response data for each impression of a respective contentelement of the content elements. The respective impression response datafor each impression of a respective content element can include arespective response of a respective user of the users. The respectiveimpression response data for each impression of a respective contentelement also can include a respective time of the respective response ofthe respective user. The acts further can include determining respectiveweightings of the content elements based on posterior distributionsusing the respective impression response data. The respective impressionresponse data can include being adjusted by a temporal decay factor. Thetemporal decay factor can be based on the respective times of therespective impression response data for the content elements. The actsadditionally can include generating a webpage of the one or more websites to comprise a selected content element based on the respectiveweighting of the selected content element.

A number of embodiments can include a method being implemented viaexecution of computing instructions configured to run at one or moreprocessors and stored at one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia. The method can include displaying content elements on one or moreweb sites to users. The method also can include tracking respectiveimpression response data for each impression of a respective contentelement of the content elements. The respective impression response datacan include a respective response of a respective user of the users. Therespective impression response data can include a respective time of therespective response of the respective user. The method further caninclude determining respective weightings of the content elements basedon posterior distributions using the respective impression responsedata, as adjusted by a temporal decay factor, based on the respectivetimes of the respective impression response data for the contentelements. The method also can include generating a webpage of the one ormore websites to comprise a selected content element based on therespective weighting of the selected content element.

Although automatic resolution of the explore-exploit decision inomnichannel settings, with revival, and/or with personalization usingdynamically shared learnings has been described with reference tospecific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments isintended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is notintended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the disclosureshall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. Forexample, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readilyapparent that any element of FIGS. 1-8 may be modified, and that theforegoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does notnecessarily represent a complete description of all possibleembodiments. For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, oractivities of FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8 may include different procedures,processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules,in many different orders, and/or one or more of the procedures,processes, or activities of FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8 may include one or more ofthe procedures, processes, or activities of another different one ofFIGS. 4-5 and 7-8. As another example, the systems within selectionsystem 305, omnichannel content selection system 310, revival selectionsystem 311, personalization system 312, web server 320, and/or physicalstores system 325 in FIG. 6 can be interchanged or otherwise modified.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstructionand not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutionsto problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in suchclaim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: one or more processors; andone or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computinginstructions configured to run on the one or more processors andperform: displaying content elements on one or more websites to users;tracking respective impression response data for each impression of arespective content element of the content elements comprising (a) arespective response of a respective user of the users and (b) arespective time of the respective response of the respective user;determining respective weightings of the content elements based onposterior distributions using the respective impression response data,as adjusted by a temporal decay factor, based on the respective times ofthe respective impression response data for the content elements; andgenerating a webpage of the one or more websites to comprise a selectedcontent element based on the respective weighting of the selectedcontent element.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computinginstructions are further configured to perform: receiving a request fromthe respective user of the users to display the webpage of the one ormore websites; and selecting the selected content element from among thecontent elements based on the respective weightings of the contentelements.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the respectiveweightings of the content elements further comprises: generating arespective random sample from a respective posterior distribution of theposterior distributions for each content element of the contentelements, using the respective impression response data, as adjusted bythe temporal decay factor, based on the respective time of therespective impression response data for the each content element.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein selecting the selected content elementcomprises: determining a maximum of the respective weightings of thecontent elements; and selecting the selected content element from amongthe content elements such that a weighting of the selected contentelement is the maximum of the respective weightings of the contentelements.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the temporal decay factoris adapted based on changes in the respective impression response datausing a correlation computation.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein: thetemporal decay factor is further adapted differently based on differentcontent element classes of the content elements.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein: the respective impression response data tracks conversionrates of the content elements by the users; the respective times of therespective impression response data are tracked on a predetermined timeinterval; and the temporal decay factor is applied to adjust therespective impression response data on the predetermined time intervalwhen the respective weightings of the content elements are determined.8. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of the users is assigned arespective classification; the respective impression response datafurther comprises, for each impression of the content element, (a) therespective classification of the respective user of the users, and (b) arespective response of the user in each of two channels; and therespective weightings are further determined based on the respectiveclassification of the respective user and the respective responses ofthe users in each of the two channels in the respective impressionresponse data.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprises: determininga respective performance of each content element of the content elementson the one or more websites to users in combination with personalizationcontent selection techniques to determine a respective probability ofselecting the each content element of the content elements.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprises: determining a respectiveperformance of each content element of the content elements on one ormore websites to users in combination with both omnichannel contentselection techniques and personalization content selection techniques todetermine a respective probability of selecting each content element ofthe content elements.
 11. A method being implemented via execution ofcomputing instructions configured to run at one or more processors andstored at one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the methodcomprising: displaying content elements on one or more websites tousers; tracking respective impression response data for each impressionof a respective content element of the content elements comprising (a) arespective response of a respective user of the users and (b) arespective time of the respective response of the respective user;determining respective weightings of the content elements based onposterior distributions using the respective impression response data,as adjusted by a temporal decay factor, based on the respective times ofthe respective impression response data for the content elements; andgenerating a webpage of the one or more websites to comprise a selectedcontent element based on the respective weighting of the selectedcontent element.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the computinginstructions are further configured to perform: receiving a request fromthe respective user of the users to display the webpage of the one ormore websites; and selecting the selected content element from among thecontent elements based on the respective weightings of the contentelements.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the respectiveweightings of the content elements further comprises: generating arespective random sample from a respective posterior distribution of theposterior distributions for each content element of the contentelements, using the respective impression response data, as adjusted bythe temporal decay factor, based on the respective time of therespective impression response data for the each content element. 14.The system of claim 11, wherein selecting the selected content elementcomprises: determining a maximum of the respective weightings of thecontent elements; and selecting the selected content element from amongthe content elements such that a weighting of the selected contentelement is the maximum of the respective weightings of the contentelements.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein: the temporal decay factoris adapted based on changes in the respective impression response datausing a correlation computation.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein:the temporal decay factor is further adapted differently based ondifferent content element classes of the content elements.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein: the respective impression response datatracks conversion rates of the content elements by the users; therespective times of the respective impression response data are trackedon a predetermined time interval; and the temporal decay factor isapplied to adjust the respective impression response data on thepredetermined time interval when the respective weightings of thecontent elements are determined.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein:each of the users is assigned a respective classification; therespective impression response data further comprises, for eachimpression of the content element, (a) the respective classification ofthe respective user of the users, and (b) a respective response of theuser in each of two channels; and the respective weightings are furtherdetermined based on the respective classification of the respective userand the respective responses of the users in each of the two channels inthe respective impression response data.
 19. The system of claim 11,further comprises: determining a respective performance of each contentelement of the content elements on the one or more websites to users incombination with personalization content selection techniques todetermine a respective probability of selecting the each content elementof the content elements.
 20. The system of claim 11, further comprises:determining a respective performance of each content element of thecontent elements on one or more websites to users in combination withboth omnichannel content selection techniques and personalizationcontent selection techniques to determine a respective probability ofselecting each content element of the content elements.